Workplace
From senior directors to the shop floor, Hanson's workforce is committed to achieving the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for our colleagues, our customers and the general public. Right through the business, health and safety is a top priority.
In 2005 we signed up to the Health and Safety Executive's target zero initiative for the quarrying industry to reduce all accidents by 50% by 2010, with the ultimate aim of zero accidents by 2015.
This renewed commitment followed the success of the 2000 HSE hard target to cut quarrying accidents by 50% in five years, which we achieved with a 52% reduction.
Within the brick sector, we have signed up to the British Ceramic Association's pledge performance, which aims to reduce the number of working days lost by 30% by 2010, and we are well on track.
Over the whole of Hanson's UK operations there has been a commitment to reduce accidents by 20% year-on-year, and a clear focus on reducing lost time incidence rates.
We recognise that accidents can only be eliminated by including and involving the workforce. By the use of ‘visible felt leadership' - a process which encourages directors and senior mangers to visit sites and talk to employees - and greater worker participation, we are moving towards a culture of inter-dependence where everybody looks out for each other.
We are dedicated to the full involvement of safety representatives and safety committees. We believe they contribute tremendously to overall safety standards and performance through consultation, innovation and involvement. Competence is also an essential discipline and we invest considerable resources in training.
To underpin this effort, a comprehensive health and safety management system is in place across all our operations. Essentially, it is a system of responsibilities, rules, procedures and safe working practices which provide the backbone of effective health and safety management.
We are actively promoting a wide range of education and training, best practice dissemination and behavioural auditing initiatives to pursue our ultimate goal of no lost-time incidents. Our induction training includes a significant section on health and safety and we distribute frequent newsletters and reports to all employees detailing accidents that have occurred and safety initiatives. We also have health and safety working groups and hold awareness days.
Occupational health
We recognise the benefits of continually improving the working environment for our people through comprehensive occupational health programmes.
These range from health surveillance for potential exposure to work hazards, through to advice on lifestyle matters. Physiotherapy is often provided as part of a managed return-to-work rehabilitation programme. Some of our larger sites employ occupational nurses, either on a full or part-time basis.
Training
To ensure our staff maximise their potential, we offer a substantial amount of training. All new staff, including contractors, undergo a detailed on-line induction programme in addition to our site-based induction procedures. As part of our performance management process every member of staff has an annual performance review. At this review, personal development plans are created which identify requirements to support their job role or career development.
Employees are encouraged to achieve National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) or Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ). Our management staff work towards the Hanson management certificate and diploma in management (endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management) and there is also a leadership training programme for senior management.
