On February 2nd, Wilson & Scott Ltd kicked off their their annual Health and Safety training event at the Twickenham Stoop stadium, London. Every year the road marking specialists bring their entire workforce together to emphasise the importance of health and safety best practice in their daily routines.
Spanning the entire week, the Wilson & Scott troops are made aware of any changes to Health and Safety legislation, encouraged to voice concerns and queries, and are kept up to date on the paramount importance of safety in the workplace via a number of inventive offerings. The week also includes medical screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate monitoring, displaying the Wilson & Scott ‘Safety and me’ mentality before they even step foot on the roads.
“What we want is to ensure that every one of our employees recognise risks of all varieties, and take every necessary step to avoid them where possible.”
Steve Scott, Wilson and Scott Managing Director.
Having visited the event previously, HighwaysIndustry.Com was again invited along to see the continual dedication to best practice of Wilson & Scott.
Based in the Main Stand bar area, we arrived to roughly 100 seats set out ready to get the show on the road- pardon the pun! After being greeted with a welcome as warm as the cup of tea we were handed, first up for the W&S road warriors was a brief summary of 2014 and how their efforts and endeavours have paid off- leading the company to a surge in growth over the past 12 months. Delivered by Wilson and Scott Contracts Director Cameron Simms, the workforce were informed amongst other things that the company has laid down enough marking over the past year to stretch from London to Iraq- quite the journey I’m sure you’ll agree!
Photo: Cameron Scott reviews 2014, and outlines 2015 to the W&S troops.
With the 2014 review complete, next up was a visit from Skanska representatives- a close partner of W&S- to deliver a presentation on the necessity for an ‘Injury Free Environment’ in the workplace, and furthermore- in day to day activity. With engagement and interaction key, employees were encouraged to ask questions and challenge points being made as well as contribute their own experiences and also were subjected to a number of impactful, thought provoking videos that could easily leave a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye. It was clear to see the message of creating a lifestyle where all precautions are taken as seriously as possible both in and away from work, minimising the risks life throws at us on a daily basis.
Photo: The Skanska ‘Injury Free Environment’ presentation engages all.
After we were treated to lunch in the crisp London air, the afternoon session was where things got fantastically innovative.
A mock trial was staged. With an authentic judge, along with genuine defence and prosecution lawyers- the court was set. To add to the authenticity, Mr Steve Scott- Managing Director of Wilson & Scott- was called as a witness in the trial with no prior knowledge of the questions he was about to face.
Photo: The jury are sworn in.
We were extremely fortunate to play an active part in the case- as members of the jury we were keenly examining all that was said, all evidence presented and all answers given. The ‘charge’ was causing death by dangerous driving- with the defendant found guilty. The evidence provided was instrumental in the jury reaching the verdict- given the overwhelming proof that the employee/defendant had all the necessary means to prevent an accident occurring. Due to the failure to carry out the health and safety procedures required by Wilson and Scott before setting out for work- namely, not performing daily vehicle checks on the Wilson & Scott checklist fundamental – the defendant sealed his own fate. These checks are a fundamental ‘must do’ for all crews before leaving base, completed via their mobile tablet software systems.
Photo: Wilson & Scott MD Steve Scott is called as a witness.
From an outsider’s point of view, the trial was a fantastic way to keep the attention of all in the room, with one enthusiastic Wilson & Scott employee even speaking over the jury to ask a question to a witness! Post-trial the workforce were then encouraged to ask questions and explore the details of such a case accordingly by pitching their thoughts and queries to the guest professionals that were performing the case.
Despite an extremely busy day for the boss, we spoke with Stephen Scott about why events such as this are so important to the company:
Steve told us:
“We operate in what is potentially a very dangerous sector. With our guys out on the roads it is simply a fact that it’s an environment where accidents have, and do happen. What we want is to ensure that every one of our employees recognise risks of all varieties, and take every necessary step to avoid them where possible. We can only do this with events like the ones we are investing so heavily in this week.
“The wellbeing of our people and the public comes above all else. It has to. With days like today, and events like ours across the whole week- we go above and beyond government legislation with the aim of maximising the reduction of accidents.”
When we asked Steve for the thinking behind the ‘courtroom’, he added:
“The trial gives us the opportunity to engage our workforce like never before. Adding that ‘real life’ element means it’s more than just a slideshow or presentation. Our staff visualise themselves in the situation and it gets the message to hit home far harder.”
A huge congratulations to Wilson & Scott for tackling the issue of health and safety in, and out of the workplace so seriously. As far as we’re concerned- it’s job well and truly done.
“We operate in a dangerous sector. The wellbeing of our people and the public comes above all else. It has to.”
Steve Scott, Wilson & Scott Managing Director.
To see more from Wilson & Scott, take a look at their company profile here.
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