Zero Harm initiatives at Northampton Mental Health Unit
The Northampton Mental Health Unit site recently held a ‘Focus on Safety Day’. The site also holds monthly Zero Harm safety awards.
A ‘Focus on Safety Day’ was recently held on 30th September 2009 at the Northampton Mental Health Unit site. The purpose of the safety day was to:
- create an event that would spark interest for all on site
- encourage everyone to think about working safely
- engage with as many operatives on site as possible and talk about safety issues
- display a broad range of safety equipment ranging from PPE, dust control, access equipment, hand protection etc
- encourage operatives to visit all eight exhibition stands.
The event was driven and organised by Maurice Thubron and Paul Duff of Balfour Beatty Engineering Services in conjunction with Tony Round of Balfour Beatty Construction.
Exhibitors included Parkers, Moldex, Lee Brothers PPE, Uvex Safety Glasses, Hilti, Speedy Hire, Bolle and Marigold. Participating BBES subcontractors comprised of Wilson’s Electrical, Interlock Duct Work, LVA, C&M, BBI and Redstone.
To encourage operatives to view all eight exhibition stands, those who visited them all were entered into a prize draw. Twelve prizes were donated by exhibitors and out of the 60 BBES operatives, 54 attended all.
Darren Lynham, BBES project manager said about the event: “The feedback from both craftsmen and exhibitors was excellent and really got the subject of safety at the forefront of people’s minds. Many questions were raised and answered. Following on from the safety day, all exhibitors were sent feedback questionnaires.” To date the Northampton site has conducted in excess of 2300 point of work risk assessments, another example of its pro-active approach to safety.
Also, as part of the Zero Harm strategy, the site holds a monthly Zero Harm safety award presentation. If someone believes a colleague should be put forward for the award, a nomination sheet is completed, on which it must explain why you are nominating that person. Each month entries are reviewed and a winner is chosen which is publicised on site.
September’s winner was Kevin Henshaw, supervisor with LVA who was presented with a £30 voucher by Darren Lynham.
Posted: Tuesday 26 January 2010