The winners of the Road Surface Treatments Association 2015 Health and Safety Awards have been announced.
The potential hazards of working on the road network call for a high level of health and safety awareness and competence. The RSTA Health and Safety Awards aim to capture and promote road maintenance health and safety best practice. There are three categories: Workforce Involvement; Behavioural Safety; Innovation. The Awards were judged by Ray Cooke from the Health and Safety Executive and were sponsored by Nynas Bitumen.
First prize for Workforce Involvement was awarded to W J Products Ltd for their designing out risk initiative. This is certainly a better approach than trying to control risk. Staff are fully involved in identifying issues, and undertaking field trials of proposed improvements. What was impressive is the level of seriousness and readiness to act on staff input and feedback.
The Behavioural Safety category was won by Eurovia Specialist Treatments. Working with a training company, Eurovia has developed a bespoke practical package to address the issue of how to identify and avoid verbal or physical violence. Second place was awarded to Colas for their Safer Attitudes in Driving campaign. Road related safety risk is often overlooked by employers as it can be difficult to manage. The development of 12 commandments was commended as was taking the campaign out into the wider community.
First place for the Innovations category went to Colas for their initiative to have cameras linked to visual red light warnings for oncoming vehicles to attract drivers’ attention. The audible warning will provide road workers with additional warning and time to leave the danger area. Second place was awarded to Eurovia for their approach to ensuring that risk assessment is not only site specific but can also be recorded in an electronic format that enables widespread use and easy comparison of potential high risk activities.
Commenting on the RSTA Health and Safety Awards, Mr Cooke said: “Working on the road network, often in live traffic locations can be extremely hazardous. The RSTA awards are welcomed by their highlighting the need for health and safety and best practice. The winning companies are to be congratulated for their vision and commitment to health and safety.”