Lafarge Contracting has earned a prestigious international award for outstanding health and safety standards.
The division, part of Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK, based in Syston, Leicester, England, secured the British Safety Council International Safety Award with Merit after implementing a series of rigorous on-site safety protocols.
Ben Slack, senior HSQE (health, safety, quality) manager for Pave said: “We are delighted to have achieved this important honour. For Lafarge health and safety is a core value, incorporated into all aspects of our business and our goal is to achieve zero harm.
“This award shows that not only do we talk about reaching Zero Harm we take positive action to ensure this goal is reached.”
Among the systems which impressed the four independent adjudicators was the introduction of individually tailored hearing protection at a site where noise was identified as a risk because of the introduction of a new paver.
Other measures included a central database of site inspections and audits so problem areas could be identified and improvements made; a training programme for staff called Empowerment by Involvement to engage and encourage employees in health and safety, and regular monitoring both by Lafarge health and safety advisors and client teams.
“It is down to the hard work and commitment of everyone at Lafarge Contracting that we have achieved this award.
“It truly demonstrates how a culture of health and safety and respect and care for others is embedded in our workforce.
”But we are not resting on our laurels, we will continue to strive to improve our health and safety procedures and performance until we can say we have achieved zero harm,” added ben Slack.
In a confirmation letter to Lafarge Contracting announcing the award, Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council said: “This achievement clearly demonstrates a strong commitment by Lafarge Contracting to maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of your employees through good health and safety management.”
