This week colleagues across Cemex UK came together to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, taking part in a wide range of discussions, site visits, training sessions and practical activities designed to strengthen our safety culture and reinforce our shared commitment to ensuring everyone goes home safely every day.
From Rail operations and Distribution teams to our Plants, Commercial teams and Head Office colleagues, the week demonstrated that safety is everyone’s responsibility no matter where we work.
Here’s a summary of just some of the many fantastic activities that took place across the UK this week.
Strengthening safety across our Rail network
Our Supply Chain team hosted a hugely successful Cemex Rail Health and Safety Forum, bringing together rail contractors and partners to discuss the safety challenges we all share.
The day focused on The Cemex Safety Reset, Take 5 principles, improving Health and Safety across Cemex sites and strengthening safety across the wider industry and in our communities. The event featured valuable contributions from Cemex presenters alongside guest speakers from DB Cargo and Learn Live, with excellent engagement from representatives across our Rail contractor community including Victa, GBRF, Bowker Group, DCR, MLP and Port Rail. The open and positive discussions highlighted the power of collaboration in making our operations safer for everyone.
Cement teams discuss Mental Health
At Rugby Cement Plant the teams also marked the week with a strong focus on mental health and colleagues welcomed external partners including a men’s mental health support group, “Back and Forth”, alongside sessions from “Our Jay” on defibrillator awareness, Myton Hospice, our chosen charity of the year, and Nuffield Health, who delivered “Know Your Numbers” health checks. The event created a fantastic opportunity to open up important conversations around wellbeing while also offering practical support, including gym day passes and healthy snacks. A raffle, generously supported by our contractor partners, raised nearly £800 across both day and night shifts, a brilliant effort that reflects the team’s commitment not only to safety, but to looking after each other both physically and mentally.
Reinforcing safe behaviours in our Technical teams
Our Technical teams also used the week as an opportunity to reconnect on safe working practices in higher-risk environments. At Dove Holes time was spent with Laboratory Technicians discussing the realities of working in quarry stockyards and rail load areas, where interaction with road wagons, loading shovels and dumpers is part of daily activity. Conversations focused on the critical importance of following traffic routes, parking in designated safe areas, making clear eye contact with operators and drivers, and using visual signals such as thumbs up, flashing beacons and flags at all times. While robust systems are already in place and being followed, the discussion reinforced the value of taking time to refresh awareness of hazards, correct behaviours and the consistent use of the right equipment to stay safe.
Valuable conversations at Durham
At Durham, colleagues spent the day engaging in meaningful Visible Felt Leadership (VFL) conversations with Drivers and Site teams. Discussions focused on current Health and Safety challenges, opportunities for improvement and sharing ideas across teams. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with open, honest and constructive conversations helping teams learn from one another.
As well as observing driving style and general behaviours, we were able to discuss various topics including challenges with protecting other road users, vehicle safety features, rollovers, importance of housekeeping in trucks and Take 5.
Reinforcing safety across Readymix operations
Our Readymix teams were also actively involved throughout the week. At Weeford and Alrewas Plants, teams discussed hazard reporting, site safety, new safety initiatives, good practices, recent safety alerts and physical and mental wellbeing. Teams also completed site walks together to identify risks and hazards, reinforcing the importance of remaining proactive and vigilant.
Meanwhile, during the Readymix & Concrete Products Management Meeting in Binley, teams held important discussions around mixer rollovers following recent incidents in both the UK and Israel, ensuring lessons continue to be shared across the business.
In Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and Halifax, teams reflected on the Safety Reset and the importance of ensuring everyone returns home safely to their families. Their message was simple but powerful: One Cemex. One Goal. Zero for life. The Yorkshire VFL Day also brought together operational teams and members of our IHC community to share best practice and discuss how each role contributes to keeping colleagues, customers and communities safe. This was great opportunity to spend time with our Drivers and Plant team, talk openly about safety, reinforce key messages around slips, trips and falls, Take 5, and vehicle safety, and most importantly listen to feedback from those doing the job every day. Strong engagement, good discussions, and a clear reminder that safety leadership is about being visible and involved.
Robert House, EMEA Director for H&S, spent time with Dhillion, an experienced, skilled and committed Readymix Truck Driver based in Leeds. Robert was able to join him on a trip to a local customer site where he delivered concrete safely!
Keeping vulnerable road users safe in London
Our London teams spent time with members of our IHC community during a special VFL In Cab experience. This provided an important opportunity to understand the challenges Drivers face on busy city roads, particularly when navigating around vulnerable road users. The experience highlighted just how critical vehicle safety technology is, alongside the expertise and professionalism of our Drivers who navigate these routes every day. Teams also discussed latest safety initiatives, recent safety alerts and safe entrance and exit points.
Hands-on safety improvements in our fitting teams
At our Midlands, Southwest and Oldbury Fitting teams, colleagues took part in practical safety sessions that encouraged fresh thinking and continuous improvement. After reviewing health and safety training materials together, team members were challenged to head out onto site individually and identify 10 ways to improve Health and Safety. The exercise sparked excellent conversations and practical ideas, with many improvements identified that can now be implemented. One team member asked an important question:
“Does this mean we aren’t doing a good job if we can still find things?” The answer perfectly captured the spirit of continuous improvement: “Without progress and innovation, we’d all still be driving Model T Fords.”
It was a powerful reminder that strong safety performance is built on constantly looking for ways to improve.
Engaging teams on site in Aggregates operations
Our Aggregates teams also took the opportunity to step away from routine activities and focus on safety. The Midlands Aggregates Operations team incorporated a session into their monthly meeting at Alrewas quarry, spending time on site engaging directly with colleagues to discuss the Take 5 principles. This provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on everyday risks, share experiences and reinforce the importance of taking a moment to think before every task, ensuring safety remains at the forefront of everything we do. At Dove Holes the team spent time refreshing the quarry entrance.
Safety beyond operational sites at Head Office
At our Binley Head Office, colleagues took part in dedicated toolbox talks focused on everyday workplace safety. Using real near-miss hazard alerts, teams discussed kitchen appliance safety, slips, trips and falls, road safety on site and shared workspace wellbeing. The sessions reinforced an important message — safety is not limited to operational environments. Every workplace and every task presents opportunities to keep ourselves and others safe.
Customer site safety in action
Safety conversations extended beyond our own sites too. During a visit to a customer construction site, teams observed excellent safety awareness as site personnel guided trucks safely to tipping areas. The visit also provided a valuable opportunity to reinforce safe working practices with our drivers and ensure safety remains front of mind wherever we operate.
Rail Products embracing safety conversations
Rail Products teams at Rochester and Somercotes embraced the day with engaging conversations, reinforcing our safety essentials and the use of NMHAs.
A shared commitment to safety
This week demonstrated what makes Cemex special, colleagues across every part of the business taking time to listen, learn, challenge and improve together. Whether through formal forums, site walks, toolbox talks or conversations on the road, every discussion reinforced the same commitment: Safety is not just a priority for one day, it’s something we must live every single day.
Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make World Day for Safety and Health at Work such a success. Together, we continue working towards our goal of Zero for Life.