On World Day for Safety and Health at Work this week our Rugby Cement Plant Health & Safety team organised some amazing health, safety and wellbeing activities for over 300 colleagues and contractors who are currently working on the site’s six-week maintenance shut down.

For the day shift workers, everyone on site was treated to a free lunch during which ambassadors from a local Prostate Cancer Support Group joined them. They shared information about prostate health awareness and details about local events where people can go to have a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test. It was a hugely successful session, with many questions and information shared.

Details were also shared about Andy’s Man Club, a national charity which aims to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. Details were shared about local weekly support groups sessions and over lunch, colleagues and contractors had many positive conversations about mental health.

Additionally, some Supervisors held awareness sessions about the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and shared information about the work of local OurJay Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of having 24/7 publicly accessible automated external defibrillators. The Cement Plant is proudly funding a new defibrillator which will be sited at the plant’s main security gate and available for public use.

Taking time out the day, the site Supervisors organised a stand down with their colleagues and contractors, challenging them to share their ideas for making improvements around their site. They discussed the idea that “one small change” can make a difference, highlighting the power of incremental improvements.

The day’s activities were replicated for the night shift workers and sharing her thoughts after the successful day Regional Health and Safety Manager, Mary-Ann Macinnes Collins, said: “We have had such a phenomenal day here at the Cement Plant. We’ve had so many positive conversations about prostate cancer, mental health and raised awareness about using our site’s defibrillators. Thanks to everyone at the plant for taking part in these potentially lifesaving conversations.”