We recognise that achieving high standards of health and safety is an integral part of our business. We also believe that effective communication is of paramount importance to our health and safety performance.
All staff receive a copy of our Health and Safety Policy and information on the Group’s health and safety standards. The company induction explains our health and safety culture and the importance of this issue to the success of the business. Information is communicated to subcontractors through pre-start and regular on-site meetings, and to all operatives through safety notice boards, safety committees, toolbox talks and poster campaigns.
We remain active members of key industry bodies including the UK Construction Group, Home Building Federation, Construction Industry Advisor Committee and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.
Highlights from 2009
Our total number of reportable accidents reduced by 9 per cent in the 12 months to 76, with our accident incidence rate little changed at 5.74 and our accident frequency rate stabilising at 0.24. With over 170 visits from the Health and Safety Executive there have been no enforcement notices served. However, the Group had one prosecution for a breach of regulations in relation to an incident in 2005 that left a joiner with a broken leg.
Future commitments/goals
The past year has seen our exciting behavioural safety programme, Safe Mind, Safe Body (see case study below) implemented on a number of projects. The next 12 months will see continued emphasis placed on its effective and sustained implementation, with 300 staff due to attend a series of leadership workshops. The focus will then move to site management and, ultimately, to our supply chain.
