By Ian Dovey.
As I sit here writing, I have just completed my fortieth year in construction. That feels a strange thing to say. It only feels like yesterday that I was stepping onto my first site in Eastville Bristol, for Wimpey Construction – well almost yesterday.
I began my career as a site engineer, before moving into site management and, after a few years, Kier (thankfully) supported my request to retrain in Health & Safety back in 1997 – a very different time, 27 years ago…!
Everyone thought I was mad moving into H&S – “why would you want to do that?”
The reason was that I saw an opportunity that wasn’t shared by many others I was working alongside.
Even back then, I believed that we needed to take a different approach through greater engagement with the workforce.
Build a culture where we break down some of the barriers that exist, so that everyone feels empowered to say ‘no’, and where issues or concerns can be raised without any negativity.
An openness to discussion, to listening and to collaboration.
It doesn’t matter who we work for – the end goal is to build a culture where everyone looks out for each other. Less tunnel vision, fewer silos and not always looking out for number one; more about wider care for the whole team, as a group of individuals coming together.
Across my career, out of the many incidents that either my team or I have been involved in, there have been two key areas that have been identified via investigation. Either the way in which people are set to work, or the management and prevention of falling objects. These trends have been consistent since I started work and remain to this day.
The individual and collective choices of all working on the project – direct colleagues, partners, contractors, specialists, visitors, end clients; everyone – is so important where Health & Safety is concerned.
Through leadership, planning, coordination, engagement and effective monitoring we can make a difference.
Within Sweet Projects we have implemented our ‘Four Key Choices’ that apply to everyone who sets foot on one of our projects. They are non-negotiable, regardless of time spent on site, seniority or specialism.
Respect our way of working
Number one is to respect our way of working. As with any construction site in specialist industries, there are sometimes hundreds of people passing through on a daily basis, especially on large-scale projects.
These people may have a lot, or limited site experience, and could be visiting multiple construction sites on the same day.
Regardless of any of this, or any other mitigating factors, every person must respect our way of working – how we do things, the rules we set, the approach we have. This includes access equipment, our PPE requirements, the way we approach supervisor co-ordination meetings and safe starts, permits and so forth.
Whatever it is, we’re the ones accountable and responsible for everything happening on our site.
If anyone is unsure, then stop and ask one of our team.
Consider the consequences of your actions
Every choice made, every decision, however minute or in that moment, can have far-reaching consequences. The ripple effect of one action, one split-second thought, can unfortunately change lives forever. I have seen this with my own eyes.
Take a second to think how your action, or inaction, in a certain place or at a certain time can affect those around you.
Construction sites are inherently busy places with multiple moving parts, people, vehicles, machinery, materials, more often than not with an outdoor element to them – which brings differing challenges with weather conditions, standing water, temperature changes and so on.
Taking that moment can be crucial in observing your close surroundings, communicating or repeating to colleagues that something is about to happen. That stop, think and check – what will happen ‘if’ approach…
Look out for each other
We all have a responsibility to look out for, and look after, our colleagues.
This includes physical work activities, but also emotionally (more on this in a coming View piece from myself; ensuring protection of mental health is a key focus of mine, and something we embed throughout all our sites).
If you see someone potentially in trouble with something, placing themselves at risk, or struggling, help them out. If you see signs of caution or anxiety, go and ask that person if they are OK, if they need some help. Ask and then ask again…
Speak up
Finally, we give all our colleagues on site – within our offices, our management teams, our supervisors and all specialist contractors, everyone – the confidence and backing to speak up whenever they see something untoward, or not up to the high standards of how we do things at Sweet Projects.
It can be awkward, and people may feel like they can’t speak up. But without this, we can’t truly ensure that we’re doing EVERYTHING we can to keep each other safe on site.
With these ‘Four Key Choices’, and our ongoing programme of internal events (from accident prevention, through supplier roadshows, to hidden addictions at work and wellbeing workshops), I’m excited with how we’re progressing through 2024.
I recently celebrated two years with Sweet Projects, and there’s something about the people we have, the projects we’re working on, the WAY we’re delivering these projects, that gives me great pride and hope for our sustainable and proactive future in terms of Health & Safety.
Many thanks to our staff and Alliance partners for their buy in and support.
