Placing the highest premium on health and safety, we have proven, thorough systems which are tailored to the requirements of our industry and meet all the requirements of the OHSAS 18001 accreditation. Our priority is to ensure that all employees take part in regular, comprehensive training, tailored to their specific job and meeting all industry requirements. We also encourage personal ownership of health and safety through our TargetZero initiative.
Our Health and Safety team also covers transport compliance; ensuring that the vehicles used for company activities are fully compliant and follow all regulations.
TargetZero was launched in June 2003 with the belief that all accidents and incidents can be prevented and it reflects our commitment to health and safety. We have had continued success in the reduction of accidents by adopting this proactive approach, which has been recognised once again by RoSPA with a fifth Gold Medal Award win in 2010.
TargetZero was created because we believe it is not acceptable to expose our employees, or members of the public, to health and safety risks and we know that all of our customers share that view.
The TargetZero message now forms an integral part of our induction training programmes and is a key element of our health and safety integration plans following the acquisitions of new businesses and the award of new contracts.
Within the TargetZero initiative is the Behavioural Safety Programme, which reminds all employees and contractors that they are responsible for their own safety and of those around them. The programme involves comprehensive training, consistent communication and proactive safety teams, which go out to sites and audit the safety level of the employees.
We feel that the approach that we have taken within TargetZero will deliver greater benefits than the current industry wide “Near Miss” reporting campaigns, as “Near Miss” reporting relies on people nearly being injured before any form of corrective action is taken.
The approach that we have taken within this initiative also mirrors the clear message that is communicated within the HSE Guidance Document HSG 48 “Reducing error and influencing behaviour” which clearly illustrates that an unsafe act or unsafe condition (Health and Safety violation or rule breaking) can directly lead to an accident or incident and do not automatically lead to a “Near Miss”.