Behavioural safety led training module

Balfour Kilpatrick has recently delivered a behavioural safety training module to 2150 of its own and subcontractor operatives.

The behavioural safety module comprised the 'Whatever it takes! Be safe' campaign, and addressed ownership, leadership, communications and engagement, using real-life scenarios and setting action plans for all.

50 supervisors delivered the training over 140 sessions.

The modules were delivered through the People, Partnership, Performance (PPP) programme Balfour Kilpatrick has established to train its supervisors and operatives.

Carried out on-site, principles of best practice are communicated so that everyone knows what is expected of them.

At Whitelee wind farm site, the behavioural safety module was delivered to our own and our construction partner Morrison Construction's operatives and subcontractors.

The joint venture client, Scottish Power subsidiary CRE Energy, also expressed an interest, resulting in 220 attending the sessions.

Ewen Macdonnell, Morrison Construction contracts manager commented: "the session promoted lively discussion amongst the delegates, a clear sign that the presentation and content were well received".

"The poem 'I chose to look the other way', which opened and closed the seminar is an excellent choice".

"It conveys such a powerful message, and its effectiveness was commented on by a number of delegates after the event".

The PPP modules are put together using feedback and ideas from staff and operatives, and has involved taking steps to learn what can go wrong in order to learn how to make it right.

Tony O'Toole, operations manager for West Region has taken part in the PPP modules and is seeing the lessons learnt being put into practice on site: "We have seen a consistent improvement in our supervisors".

"They have the necessary awareness and confidence to tackle any project".

"The main benefit has been to get a consistent approach to projects throughout the business".

Phil McGuire, east region director explains "We believe that PPP embraces an operating philosophy which sets us apart form our competitors and helps deliver the real benefits of consistency and certainty to our clients".

"We must look at constantly challenging and improving our processes to suit the ever-changing market place, but the team is looking forward to the challenge of spreading the PPP message to everyone in the company".

Behavioural safety was also the focus of a DVD sent to all staff and operatives at their home addresses, encouraging intervention if someone is working unsafely.

John Moore, managing director adds: "We expect our workforce to intervene when they see someone doing something wrong, because it does make a difference".

A quarterly award presented to those working safely has also been launched; where peers nominate a colleague whom they feel is doing Whatever it takes! to be safe.

At just 0.13 the company's Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) at the end of June is testament to the improvements being made in behavioural safety.

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