Issue 6 - Harsco Infrastructure

The safety newsletter for SGB staff and customers
safety
SPOTLIGHT
Autumn 2008
4
6
‘In the real
world’
The latest safety film
from SGB
New addition
to scaffold tag
initiative
Fourth safety tag
introduced
9
CUPLOK®
range
enhancements
The latest news on
CUPLOK®
10
New
products
from SGB
11
Safety
Barometer
POP-UP and low-level
access platforms
Safety achievements
around the world
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
Safety Platform
SGB’s safety commitment
At SGB we are committed to three
guiding principles:
To creating a safe working
environment for all our employees
and our customers.
To comply with local regulations
wherever we are working.
To empowering everyone in the
organisation to achieve the highest
level of safety performance.
SGB’s 10 golden rules of safety
All our staff have the right to a
safe working environment.
All our staff have a responsibility
to work safely.
We can safeguard all work
activities by risk assessment.
We can prevent all injuries at work
if we follow safe working practice.
Safety is as important as cost,
quality and productivity.
Safety should never be
compromised to meet deadlines
or targets.
All managers are responsible for
safety.
Welcome to the latest issue of Safety
Spotlight, our safety magazine designed
to keep you informed about the latest
initiatives in our continuous drive to
improve our safety performance around
the world.
World class safety management is about
constant and meticulous attention to
detail. It is impossible in a publication of
this kind to acknowledge the countless
daily contributions you all make to ensure
that we achieve continuous improvement
in our performance. I am pleased to
report that our teams around the world
have maintained their focus on working
safely and following best practice. This is
reflected in the further downward trend in
our AFR shown on page 11.
We are particularly pleased to have
received the Major Building Contractor’s
Safety Programme award by Building
Magazine. This is recognition of our
commitment to working to the highest
safety standards.
Whilst we can all be proud of the
advances we are making in safety
awareness training and safety procedures
on site, we must all remember we are on
2 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
a never ending journey. We must never
get complacent and never let up on our
drive to improve safety performance.
In this issue we report on a number of
new additions to our product range
which we believe will bring added safety
benefits to our customers. We also profile
the latest in our series of safety videos
‘In the real world’. It contains a key
message for us all that the creation of a
safe working environment is only achieved
through an uncompromising approach to
safety on the part of all parties involved in
the project delivery process. I urge you all
to watch it and learn from it.
Each manager is responsible for
training his staff to work safely.
A safe work environment
encourages efficiency and
productivity.
A safe work environment benefits
all our staff, our customers and
our shareholders.
We hope you find this issue informative
and look forward to your comments and
ideas for future features. Thank you all
for your contribution to making the safety
of our staff and customers our highest
priority.
If you would like to receive more copies
of Safety Spotlight, or be added to our
mailing list, please email your full contact
details to info@sgb.co.uk
John Barrett – Chief Operating Officer
Cover picture: A temporary roofing system supplied
by SGB.
Safety Initiatives for 2008
Neil Murray, SGB’s Group Head of Health and Safety summarises the key improvements and initiatives
achieved so far in 2008.
Summarised below are
the key improvements
and initiatives achieved
so far in 2008.
The updated Harsco
Infrastructure Safety Manual was
issued worldwide and all Manual
holders received update training
(see page 5)
The latest in a series of SGB
safety films ‘In the real world’
was issued and is being used
extensively for management
seminars and inductions. The
film recently won an award from
the International Film and Video
Festival – see page 4
Neil Murray, SGB’s Group Head
of Health and Safety, joined SGB in
2000. Neil has spent his career in the
safety industry and previously worked
for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
where he held a number of senior
positions before becoming Head
of Construction Policy of the HSE’s
Safety Policy Directorate. Since joining
SGB Neil has led the Safety team in
reshaping the safety management
system, including the creation of the
SGB Safety Manual. He has recently
started his thirty-second year in the
safety industry.
Operational Directors, Regional
and Branch Managers are
making an agreed number
of health and safety visits to
construction sites to specified
schedules and agreed numbers
of visits
All SGB fixed depots and site
based workers are receiving
specific training in safe vehicle
movement, safe manual
handling and safe use of
machinery
Our remaining objectives
for 2008 include:
Updating the first four safety films
formatted onto one DVD with
seven modules to be used
throughout Harsco Infrastructure
A noise control programme,
to identify actions and controls
required to reduce exposure to
noise for designated workers
A Site Safety Behaviour
campaign will be conducted
to improve reporting of near
accidents and unsafe conditions
Further work with international
colleagues to develop the Harsco
Infrastructure Health and Safety
Programme
New guidance on safe use of
fork-lift trucks in branches and
on site
New guidance on scaffolding
loading towers
SGB’s external health and safety
auditors have completed a
comprehensive audit and report
for SGB UK
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 3
SGB Safety Films
SGB’s new safety DVD ‘In the real world’
Safety film
update
SGB has launched its latest safety
awareness film. The film aims
to help raise awareness of our
collective safety responsibilities and
challenges us all to examine the
effects that bad decisions and
shortcuts can have on our own
safety and that of our colleagues.
• SGB has distributed 16,000 free
copies of its ‘Cost of accidents’
DVD throughout the worldwide
construction industry and it
has been translated into 19
languages. The film won a gold
award at the New York Film
Festival in 2007.
The film, which has already been
issued to all SGB staff, looks at the
possible adverse consequences
for everyone involved in the total
project delivery process and extends
to CEO’s, MD’s, senior and middle
managers and supervisors.
Neil Murray, SGB’s Group Head
of Health and Safety commented,
“Managing safety is a joint
responsibility that is essentially
based on the wider company culture.
Addressing health and safety
should not be seen as a regulatory
burden; good health and safety
performance offers significant
advantages all round.”
The films message is worldwide
and to date a French and Dutch
Key messages
• You don’t work alone when it
comes to safety
• Resist pressure to take
short-cuts and remember
some pressures you create
yourself
• Risk assessments and safety
procedures are there for good
reason. Implement and follow
them
• Unsafe behaviour endangers
lives and livelihoods. For
safety’s sake, stop and think
before you act
4 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
• The first four SGB safety films are
version of the DVD have also been
produced. Reaction to the film has
been positive and in June 2008 it
received a Creative Excellence and
Communication Award from the
International Film and Video Festival.
It was also a finalist in the ‘Best
factual non-broadcast film’ at the
Royal Television Society Awards.
to be updated and issued as one
DVD. The DVD will include work
modules and a question and
answer session to assist trainers.
The four films to be updated and
combined are: ‘Putting your
safety first’, ‘The safe erection
and dismantling of scaffolding,
including birdcage scaffolding’,
‘Start safe, work safe’ and
‘Making LITE of loads’.
Introduction of updated Safety Manual
Harsco Infrastructure, which
comprises the companies Patent,
Hünnebeck and SGB, has adopted
an updated Safety Manual which in
turn is helping to improve the safety
of thousands of Harsco employees
across the world. The Safety Manual
was first introduced to SGB in 2003
and has transformed our health and
safety performance.
Personal copies of the Manual have
been distributed to all operational
directors, managers and supervisors
in Harsco Infrastructure and a
comprehensive programme of
training is also well under way.
Neil Murray, SGB Group Head of
Health and Safety explained the
background to this important
development: “The Manual is a
step by step guide to successful
health and safety management and
applicable to all of the businesses
within Harsco Infrastructure.
SGB and Hünnebeck have used
earlier versions which have helped
us achieve significant improvements
in heath and safety
performance. In
SGB’s case we
have seen a 90%
reduction in
accidents over the
last five years.”
John Barrett, SGB’s
Chief Operating
Officer and
Director responsible for safety
commented,
“By using the
Safety Manual
regularly, managers and supervisors can be sure
they are doing
the right things
at the right time
to safeguard
all Harsco
Infrastructure staff
and customers. The Manual plays
an important role in improving
competence, control and communication of health and safety.”
SGB UK Safety Team 2008
At a meeting in
June 2008
members of the
UK Health and
Safety team took
time to gather for a
team photo. Their
combined safety
experience totals a
massive 162 years
and seven months!
From left to right:
Neil Murray,
Dick Davis,
John Lock,
Jim Houston,
Sam Braithwaite,
Paul Banks,
Gavin Watson and
Duncan Macintosh.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 5
Safety On Site
New addition to SGB scaffold tag
safety initiative
Following the successful
introduction of our three-step
scaffolding tag procedure last year,
we have now introduced a fourth
tag to improve the information the
system gives to all site staff.
The new fourth tag clearly identifies the scaffold ties that have been
strength tested. It is a yellow and red
tag with the details of the strength
test result against the required tensile
load on the red section of the tag.
At least one in every 20 ties have
to be tested and tagged.
The three tags already in place are:
The red and white DANGER:
INCOMPLETE SCAFFOLDING tag.
This is fixed to the scaffolding at the
commencement of erection.
The yellow SCAFFOLD TIE tag. This
is fixed at every tie position and has
the instruction DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCAFFOLD TIE OR TAG.
The green SCAFFOLD INSPECTION
tag. This is completed and fixed to
the scaffold after it has been handed
over to the user.
SGB Group Head of Health and
Safety Neil Murray said: “By
introducing a clear tagging
system we will be giving a simple,
consistent indicator to all site staff
as to the status and safety of every
scaffolding structure we erect.”
Clunk Click – every lift
In a recent safety initiative SGB UK
has attached ‘clunk click’ stickers
to every boom-type platform in our
UK fleet.
Stickers have been attached to
panels adjacent to the start key
and another in the basket beside
other safety decals. The campaign
reminds all users of boom-type
platforms to wear a full body
harness with a short restraint lanyard
6 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
attached to a suitable anchor point
– for easy recognition all SGB
anchor points are painted red.
The campaign began as an
initiative by the Powered Access
Interest Group (PAIG), a joint
committee of the Construction Plant
Hire Association (CPA) and IPAF.
SGB is pleased to associate itself
with the campaign.
Safety On Site
One million hours without a lost time
accident on Lamprell Petrochem project
SGB Quebeisi has achieved an
impressive safety record on a major
scaffolding project in Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates. The company
designed and erected complex
access scaffolding for the
refurbishment of eight jack-up
barges for petrochemical company
Lamprell. These rigs are in huge
demand, so need to spend the
shortest time possible in port.
As the scaffolding was erected
around the legs, safety fans were
erected to protect operatives
working on the deck below. At the
peak of the project we had 320 staff
and over 2,000 tonnes of equipment
on site. The average temperature
during the project was 45°C.
Sean Hickinson, SGB Contracts
Manager was impressed with his
team: “I cannot give enough
praise to the scaffold team for the
professionalism and dedication
shown during this project and
indeed on all of our projects.“
Key safety facts on the
Lamprell project
• With heavy congestion of
materials and vehicles at the
dock side all personnel must
wear hi-vis vests
o
• With heat up to 50 C and
humidity up to 90% regular
breaks and isotonic fluid
intakes (minimum of four
times daily) are strictly
enforced
• Eight of the SGB foremen are
first aid trained
• Due to the very busy nature
of this site SGB are constantly
updating risk assessments
and all personnel receive a
minimum of one tool box talk
each day
Two million hours safe work in Singapore
SGB Asia Pacific were part of the
construction team that received
a two million hour ‘Safe Work’
certificate from our customer Foster
Wheeler and their client GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) at the new GSK
manufacturing facility in Singapore.
Pictured are representatives from
Foster Wheeler and GSK presenting
the certificate to Kenneth Thomas,
SGB Scaffolding Supervisor at a
ceremony in May 2008.
The certificate was handed over
by Sergio Micci, Foster Wheeler
Construction Director and David
Galbusera, General Manager of
GSK. Also in the picture along with
some of the SGB project team are
Barry Bolt, SGB Regional Director,
Daniel Ng, Director and Neil
Murray, SGB Group Head of Health
and Safety.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 7
Safety On Site
SGB champions safer systems of
work for temporary roofs
Since the introduction of the Work
at Height Regulations in 2005, safe
methods of working at height have
never been of higher importance.
One area currently going through
significant change is the method
for erecting temporary roofs.
The HSE have suggested that
scaffolding companies should not
be erecting temporary roofs using
a method that relies on harnesses
for safe working unless there is
no other option. Traditional
corrugated iron roofs that rely
heavily on fall arrest harnesses
are therefore considered a far
poorer option than system roofs.
SGB’s introduction of the latest
roofing systems has allowed us
to move away from traditional
corrugated iron structures giving a
significant enhancement to safety.
Peter Bond, SGB Group Product
Marketing Manager has worked
to promote this change and
highlights below the key safety
contrasts between the latest
systems and traditional methods
along with some of the safety
benefits of using roofing systems.
To support the move toward
modern temporary roofing systems
SGB have produced a leaflet on
safer systems of work and have
contributed to the new TG9
Roofing Code of Practice (NASC).
You can request a copy of the SGB
leaflet on Temporary Shelters by
emailing your address details to
info@sgb.co.uk
Full roofing systems
Systemised snap-on components
Erected from safe working
platform (Rolling Roof method)
Sheeted from safe working
platform
Materials loaded onto platform
Illustrated user guides
Job-specific design usually
produced
Recognised current training
schemes
Highly leak-resistant
Corrugated steel sheeting roofs
Loose tubes, beams and fittings
(slow and risk of dropped parts)
Built ‘in situ’. Safety is dependent
on harnesses
Sheeted from on top of roof
Materials loaded onto roof – risk
of instability
No user guides
Design often not produced, or
generic
Poor or no training
Prone to leaking
SGB’s roofing systems allow the bays to be assembled progressively from a safe platform.
8 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
Product Focus
CUPLOK range safety improvements
®
A number of new components
are being introduced to the UK
CUPLOK® range to enhance safety.
Hook platform decks
A 300mm wide hook-ended
deck will provide an alternative
option to standard scaffold boards
or battens and eliminates the need
for intermediate board supports.
Built-in safety features include
hand-holds for easy installation
and a wind-lock facility.
Steel toe-board
This fast and easy to install
modular galvanised steel
toe-board is designed to improve
safety by eliminating platform
gaps and removing the need for
toe-board clips. It also includes
platform end toeboards.
These new components are all
available in standard 2.5m, 1.8m
and 1.3m lengths.
Loading bay components
The SGB CUPLOK® loading tower
was originally designed for single
loading platforms of almost five
tonnes capacity. The new ledger
reduces the need for additional
components. It provides a platform
with a 20kN capacity and allows
multi-level loading bays.
The new gate assembly
incorporates a ‘Flexi-Arm’ on
either side of the bay which
allows a range of bay widths to
suit the loads. Safety is achieved
by having either the inner or outer
gates closed at all times.
SGB has recently launched
the CUPLOKPLUSTM microsite
to highlight the latest news,
offers and promotions. Visit
www.cuplokplus.com for more
information.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 9
Product Focus
New POP-UP platforms
improving site safety
SGB has taken delivery of over
130 POP-UP platforms currently
deployed on two major UK
construction sites, which are
making a significant contribution
to improved safety practices.
The innovative new platform is
designed to give extra safety to
the user and to replace ladders
and steps in low level indoor
applications.
New improved
low-level
access
platforms
Wheeled manually into position,
the work platform rises using
a battery-powered scissor mechanism to provide safe working
heights up to 3.63m. This makes
them ideal for secondary trades
including fitting out, M&E work
and ceiling installation. Weighing
only 275kg, the POP-UP platform
is easy to transport and manoeuvre
on site and will fit through
standard door openings.
Over 100 units have now been
deployed on the new £300m
Kings Mill Hospital development
in Mansfield, where SGB is the
specialist access partner to main
contractor Skanska, and has a
dedicated on-site service branch.
“
I have noticed a significant
reduction in risk taking since
the POP-UP platform was
introduced.
”
Mark Allen, SGB Branch Manager
Mark Allen, Branch Manager at
the site commented: “Since the
introduction of the POP-UP
platforms some 12 months ago
I have noticed a significant
reduction in risk taking by the
workforce. On my weekly inspections of the light access products
on site, I find that the practice of
leaving brakes off, gates open
and standing on guardrails has
virtually ceased. The POP-UP
platform gives a great boost to
health and safety and we can be
sure that we are working far more
safely on site.”
10 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
SGB has introduced two new
models to its low-level access
platform range offering improved
safety features and platform height
options. Designed to provide greater
flexibility than most existing models,
the P1000 and P1500 work
platforms incorporate a wider,
splayed base for extra stability and
can fold flat whilst in the upright
position.
The smaller P1000 model offers
two platform heights at 0.71m and
0.94m. Easily wheeled through
most standard doorways, it provides
for safe working reach of almost 3
metres.
The larger P1500 provides a solid
platform for safe working reach of
up to 3.5 metres, and also offers two
platform heights: 1.21m and 1.44m.
Both platforms have a safe
working load of 150kg, and
incorporate improved design
features to make assembly simpler
and access and egress more
comfortable.
Safety
Barometer
Achievements of 2008 (January-June):
SGB Group worked (Jan-Jun) 7,201,457 hours
SGB Group year to date Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) for
major accidents causing loss of more than three working
days is 0.13
SGB UK achieved its best ever half year results with an
AFR of 0.08.
For the first half of 2008 (January
to June), SGB UK had an AFR of
0.08. For comparison, the figure
for the same period last year was
0.19, in the year 2000 it was 0.91.
The half year figures to date are
excellent results, the construction
industry average AFR in the UK is
estimated at 1.00. The SGB results
are better than any segment of the
construction industry and also most
other industries.
accident frequency rate
SGB Group accident frequency rate 1999-2008
1.10
1.10
1.00
1.00
0.90
0.90
0.80
0.80
0.70
0.70
0.60
0.60
0.50
0.50
0.40
0.40
0.30
Frequency
quency rate = Number
umber of los
lost time
e accidents x 100
0K
Total hou
urs worked
0.20
0.30
Frequ
F
uency rate
12 month
1
onth averag
average
0.20
Definition
nition is more
mor than
an 3 days off
of work
0.10
0.10
0.00
1999
Series1 1.10
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
0.81
0.80
0.65
0.63
0.48
0.39
0.18
0.16
2008
0.00
(Jan-June)
0.13
Dutch health and safety visit
fire alarm systems, a health and
safety measure they are keen to
use in the Netherlands.
Representatives from SGB Holland
included Bart Korswagen, Manager
Branch Operations and Arie van
Dijk, Sales Manager.
In June a delegation from the Dutch
Construction and Infrastructure
Federation visited the UK on a
three-day fact-finding tour on
health and safety.
The trip was organised by KOMAT,
a department of the Dutch
Construction and Infrastructure
Federation which works with
companies that specialise in
construction equipment and
material supplies.
The Federation members, who
represent 40 Dutch construction
equipment companies and includes
SGB Holland, travelled throughout
the UK to visit several locations
where health and safety issues
relating to equipment is given the
highest priority.
As part of their trip they visited the
HBG construction site at the South
Thames College in London where
SGB UK has provided CUPLOK®
scaffolding. They were impressed
with the high level of health and
safety standards in the UK. During
their visit to the HBG site they were
introduced to the use of mobile site
Paul Banks, SGB Health and Safety
Adviser also gave a presentation
on safety in SGB and
introduced
the new safety
film ‘In the
real world’
which was
considered to
have powerful
messages for
the industry in
Holland.
The trip
was made
possible by
SGB Holland, 3M, Heras Fencing,
Motrac Linde and Intersafe
Groeneveld.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 11
Safety Barometer
SGB safety award round-up
Third safety
award at
Aspire
Defence
Pride in the Job award
A team from the SGB Leeds branch
has been recognised by Barratt
Homes whilst erecting scaffolding to
their apartment blocks at the Echo
City site in Cross Green, Leeds.
Logistically, the site was very tight
and had to be tidy at all times for
all trades to work safely.
Three SGB employees have won
our third safety award at the Aspire
Defence project for the MOD in
Aldershot. SGB have been on site for
several months, providing access for
the construction of new accommodation and dining blocks for the MOD.
Chandra Prakash Gurung,
Omparsad Gurung and Durga
Parsad Limbu were recognised for
always working in a team, reporting
safety issues on several occasions
and taking actions to solve them.
Barratt’s site manager, Richard
Yeadon said “We have never had
such good consistent scaffolding
quality on any job ever.”
Shaun Bluff, Contract Manager
commented: “SGB Leeds is proud
to be part of the team that keeps
Barratt coming back for more.
Consequently, we are now involved
in more work for them in 2008
and hope to be able to achieve the
same high standard recognition as
last year.”
Safety awards from Barratt
Two scaffolders from SGB have
received safety awards for their work
on house builder Barratt’s site at the
Oakley Meadows project in Corby.
Site Services Manager, Mark Walters
commented: “These three guys are a
very genuine, honest, reliable
and trustworthy group who work
extremely well as a team. I’m
delighted to see them winning this
award.”
Malcolm Rickman (R) Chargehand
Scaffolder and Jamie Stock (L)
Trainee Scaffolder Part 2 were both
awarded a certificate of excellence
under the National House Building
Council’s (NHBC) annual Top 100
Sites scheme.
Chandra, Omparsad and Durga,
all came to the UK after working
for SGB in the Far East on a number
of major projects including Hong
Kong Airport. Pictured left to
right: Chandra Prakash Gurung,
Omparsad Gurung and Rhod
McGregor, Construction Manager
for Aspire Defence. Durga Parsad
Limbu is not pictured.
Barratt’s Site Agent, Mick Callahan
commented “The lads are great
– they communicate with the other
trades on site, nothing is ever a
problem and they prioritise the work
to keep all the trades working.”
12 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
The winning team was made up of
Paul Ogley, Wayne Hudson, Paul
Cook and Dale Ogley, who were all
invited to the Barratt Homes award
evening to celebrate with a meal
and entertainment.
SGB Contracts Manager, Mark
Tredgett said: “Malcolm and Jamie
certainly enforce our brand values
and are an example to our other
scaffolders. It was no surprise to me
personally when I heard they had
been nominated for their efforts.”
Safety Barometer
SGB 2008 awards
SGB ‘Safety First’ awards were
presented to a number of SGB staff
for their outstanding contribution
towards improving safety standards.
Peter Voysey, SGB Project Services
– Peter won this award for his
consistent adherence to and
enthusiasm for safety procedures
which he conveys to all his
scaffolders.
flooding in the Cheltenham area last
year.
Keith Brocklebank, SGB Hire and
Sale – Keith (pictured below)
received this award for his very
impressive safety record at the
Lincoln branch and his superb
achievement of three consecutive
excellent safety audits which have
set the highest standards in SGB.
Jim Houston, SGB Health and Safety
Adviser for the West Midlands said:
“All Peter’s sites are first rate and the
job files always include site specific
assessments and pre-start toolbox
talks as well as site task observations. Overall, he’s a shining example of management commitment
to safety and completing the work
efficiently.”
Ken Jackson, SGB Formwork –
Ken won this award for his initiative
of holding educational open
days for customers. A mixture
of presentations and practical
demonstrations, the aim was to
highlight safety and operational
procedures in SGB. The response
from our customers has been
extremely positive and several
events have been held so far.
Stephen Anderson, SGB Hire and
Sale – Stephen won the award for
his selfless attitude and great help
he gave to his colleagues in driving
them home safely during the severe
SGB maintains
14001
accreditation
In the last issue of Safety Spotlight
we announced that SGB Services
Limited had gained accreditation
to BS EN ISO 14001:2004 for its
Environmental Management System.
At the first annual audit in January
2008 we were pleased to maintain
our accreditation.
SGB has also produced an energy
and environment poster to be
displayed at all its locations
highlighting simple measures we
can all take to reduce our impact
on the environment.
Matthew Healey, SGB Formwork
– Matthew received this award for
his improvements to the handrail
system design, taking into account
the customer’s requirements and
safety issues.
New Yard
Manager’s Guide
Pictured left to right: Tony Whiteman, Branch Manager and Peter Voysey.
SGB has
issued
updated
guides to
help ensure
quality and
safe working
procedures
in all its
businesses
worldwide.
The ‘Yard Management Manual – a
guide for managers and foreman’
offers yard personnel guidelines
on key areas such as inspection,
security, accepting new stock and
overall yard safety.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 13
Safety Barometer
Major
safety
awards
for SGB
SGB has won two significant safety
awards. At a recent Harsco
Infrastructure conference in
Portugal the Harsco Global Safety
Achievement Award for 2007 was
presented to SGB Group by Mr Sal
Fazzolari, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Harsco
Corporation. This is a significant
achievement within Harsco and
reflects the tremendous efforts made
by everyone in the SGB businesses to
improve our safety performance and
reduce injuries.
The second was the ‘Health and
Safety Awards 2008 – Major
Building Contractor’s Safety
Programme award presented at a
ceremony in London in June 2008.
This award, sponsored by Building
magazine and supported by the
UK Health and Safety Executive, is
presented for the most effective
safety management performance.
The judges singled out SGB’s safety
management system and our ‘Cost
of accidents’ safety film being
made freely available across the
industry. Three major construction
companies were also on the shortlist
so our achievement was even more
significant.
ECIA Award to SGB
Industrial Services
SGB Industrial Services has been
recognised with an award from
the Engineering Construction
Industry Association as evidence of
the high standard achieved within
the engineering construction industry
as a whole. Industrial Services had
zero lost time accidents during 2007
an achievement that the whole team
can be justifiably proud of.
14 PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
Pictured left to right:
Comedian Michael McIntyre, presenter of the awards, David Johnson, Managing Director of SGB
Hire and Sale and Powered Access, Neil Murray, SGB Group Head of Health and Safety and Denise
Chevin, Editor of Building magazine.
Tool Box Talk
Fork lift trucks
Paul Banks, SGB Health and Safety
Adviser, introduces this Tool Box
Talk. SGB uses Tool Box Talks to
communicate key safety information
to site personnel.
Fork lift trucks (FLT’s) are excellent
material handling solutions and can
be extremely useful both in the yard
and warehouse. However they can
also be very dangerous unless used
correctly by competent persons, so
it is appropriate to highlight user
information and general good
practice.
Vehicle overturns cause almost 20%
of all deaths in workplace transport
accidents and FLT’s are especially
prone to overturning. There are a
number of reasons why a FLT may
overturn including travelling on
steep slopes, slippery surfaces,
overloading or uneven loading.
Many accidents also happen when
the FLT is driven over a distance with
the loaded forks raised too high.
Key safety rules for FLT
operators to observe are:
Key safety rules for other people
working in the vicinity of FLT’s:
• Always drive within speed limits
• Never try to ride as a passenger
• Keep the load lowered when
• Never attempt to operate
for FLT’s
driving in the yard
• Do not turn the FLT with the
load raised (causes instability
and possible overturning)
• Do not overload the FLT
• Drive safely on slopes as
demonstrated in your training
• Keep others away from the area
on a FLT
the FLT unless you are a fully
trained and certified FLT driver
Paul Banks joined SGB in September
2006 having previously worked for the
CITB as Supervisory and Safety Training
Advisor in the South West. He also has
experience of working in the Middle East
and South East Asia. Paul holds various
Safety NEBOSH qualifications and is
currently a graduate of IOSH working
towards full chartered membership.
• Keep out of FLT operating areas
• If you are assisting loading,
stand well clear when the FLT is
operating
• Never stand behind or close to
an operating FLT
when operating the FLT
• Always remove the key from
the ignition when you leave the
truck for whatever reason
Please send any articles or suggestions for future newsletters to:
Karen Bunyan, Marketing Communications Co-ordinator, SGB Group Ltd, Harsco House, Regent Park, 299 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SG
• Tel: ++ 44 (0) 1372 381364 • Fax: ++ 44 (0) 1372 381350 • email: kbunyan@sgb.co.uk
© This newsletter and its contents is the copyright of SGB Services Limited.
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST 15
PUTTING YOUR SAFETY FIRST
SGB is one of the world’s leading suppliers of
access, formwork and shoring systems, with
an international network of rental and sales
outlets providing design, engineering and
installation support.
Our products are used extensively in the building
and construction industries in over 50 countries
and on some of the world’s largest industrial
complexes.
For us size does not matter! Whatever the scope
of your project, our aim at SGB is to provide you
with solutions which combine the highest levels of
safety and productivity.
Please contact us about
your next project or visit
our website
tel: 08705 288 388
email: info@sgb.co.uk
www.sgb.co.uk
Your safety on-site is our first priority
SGB Group Ltd
Harsco House
Regent Park
299 Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7SG