This month teams across our UK operations have taken part in Safety Stand Downs, dedicated time out to pause and focus on what matters most: keeping ourselves and each other safe.
Across many of our sites and businesses colleagues stopped their working day to come together and reflect on recent Safety Alerts and High Potential Incidents. Key topics included PPE requirements, equipment inspections, Take 5 and Take 5 Together, and our Safety, Driving and Health Essentials.
In our Asphalt business, Leslie Luxton led a dedicated Safety Stand Down Week across sites in Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston. Each plant paused operations so teams could come together and engage in open, honest conversations about safety.
In Yorkshire, Readymix Operations Manager, Andy Ralph, visited several Readymix plants to personally lead their Safety Stand Downs. He shared: “It was pleasing to see the sessions spark meaningful discussions within the teams. These stand downs serve as a powerful reminder to stay focused, stop and think, and take care of ourselves and one another — both at work and at home. Safety must always remain our number one priority.”
In the Midlands, Christian Vale was out and about leading Safety Stand Downs with the IHC community and plant staff. “It was really pleasing to see the engagement from the team. These safety stand downs are crucial to the team and make us realise how important it is to stay focused at all times on and off site especially now we are entering the school holidays. Stay safe team, Zero 4 Life!”
In Cardiff teams came together for their Safety Stand Down, taking a moment to pause and reflect on what matters most: getting everyone home safely. Their event brought together drivers, contractors, and team members from our Cardiff Readymix plant and wharf, reinforcing their ‘One Site’ mentality, with one common goal. Zero 4 Life.
Meanwhile in London, every Driver, Readymix team member, and the Procon team joined an early morning call with Nigel Bateman, Senior Operations Manager, Readymix London. Nigel shared key learnings from recent Safety Alerts and took the opportunity to thank everyone for their continued commitment to working safely. He also reinforced the importance of consistently following our Safety and Driving Essentials. “Health and Safety is, and always will be, our top priority,” Nigel said. “We all have a responsibility to look after ourselves and each other.” Nigel plans to follow up on these important conversations with face-to-face visits in the coming weeks.
These Safety Stand Downs are more than just meetings. They are powerful reminders that safety is a shared responsibility, a key part of our culture and our number one priority. Thank you to everyone who has taken part and contributed to the sessions over the past few weeks. Let’s keep looking after ourselves and each other, following the Safety essentials and ensuring we all go home safely to our families every day.