PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN
Constructing a safer future R
Speedy Services has taken a pioneering stance on health and safety for over a decade and has set new standards in on-site safety communications with its ‘Safety From the Ground Up’ (SFTGU) programme. Mike Manning, Speedy Services’ training delivery manager, explains why the award-winning campaign was re-launched in 2011 and why it is based on the fi ndings of a major study commissioned by Pye Tait*, a leading education and training research organisation, which champions the idea of new competence in the workplace.
The right track to a safer railway
ecent data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) shows that harm
to the workforce across the railway industry reduced by 11% in 2012-13.
Despite this reduction, the sector does recognise that improvements still need to be made to reduce the risk of fatal and major injury to track workers.
There were two workforce fatalities and 114 major injuries in the 2012-2013 period, and the RSSB carried out 11 successful prosecutions for serious breaches of health and safety law against companies and one individual. The total amount of fi nes was around £5.5m.
This year’s fi gures demonstrate that although companies operating within the rail sector continue to improve
health and
safety
performance, some still do not have the correct measures in place.
As the rental industry leader in promoting safety best practice, at Speedy we’re constantly looking at ways we can improve our offering and set new standards in safety.
We conducted extensive research to fi nd out exactly what our customers need to ensure a safer workplace and worked hard to meet these requirements.
In
response to customer requests, and by working closely with Pye Tait, Speedy launched its new and improved SFTGU programme in 2011, which is also part of the company’s celebrated One Plan programme – a strategy developed to help Speedy and its customers operate more effectively, effi ciently and sustainably.
Our SFTGU campaign still covers the four key safety themes of working at height, manual handling, hand arm vibration and dust control, but now human factors such as behaviour and attitudes, as well as skills and knowledge, are factored into all our safety training.
Competence is skills, knowledge and behaviour
Research by Pye Tait revealed that most accidents result from human error, either
through poor performance or the individual’s inability to recognise or predict potentially hazardous situations.
Most accidents are caused by people. People’s competence can be improved with a little more thought and self-awareness. To put it simply, our new competence approach means that workers not only understand the task, the techniques, the correct tool selection and the risk assessment process, but are encouraged to think about their surroundings, circumstances and current state of mind, resulting in an improved and safer performance.
Reducing risk
As well as an updated range of communication materials including posters and pocket guides which are all available to customers free of charge, the Speedy sales teams have been trained to deliver a 30-minute ‘Toolbox Talk’ on each of the four safety themes.
These talks introduce the idea of improving competence and provide guidance on health issues, legislation, product selection and correct usage. A quick quiz is also included to ensure understanding.
Following feedback from customers we’ve also identifi ed 40 key products that cover the four safety themes and have produced an informative video product features, performance and safe usage for each one of them.
The crux of it is that it’s not just about having the right equipment for the job. Companies must be responsible for ensuring the user is fully trained and competent to do it.
We are experts in this and have been for a long time, and our comprehensive range of health and safety, environmental and product training courses are designed to specifi cally meet the needs of businesses that truly care about these issues.
Tool and equipment rental is all about managing and reducing risk for our customers and our job is to support our customers to make their lives and those of their employees, safer and easier.
Since its launch in 2005, SFTGU has
received widespread industry support and won numerous awards including an Orange National Business award and a Business in the Community award for responsible marketing.
*The Pye Tait Report ‘A commentary on routes to competence in the construction sector’ (2011)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
E:
sftgu@speedyservices.com W:
www.speedyservices.com/sftgu
rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 14 | 53
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