Cemex UK holds health and safety training days

Stepping in and challenging unsafe behaviour is the main theme of this year’s Cemex UK Health and Safety training days. During September and October nearly 2000 people, including CEMEX employees, contractors and suppliers, will have attended one of 18 days training at locations throughout the country.

"The training was very different and a creative way of getting staff involved in the issues," said David Harding, MPA Wales. The day focused on a real live incident at a Cemex plant, with actors playing out the possible actions and decisions that led to a major incident and resulted in an employee being disabled.

Following each of the four scenarios, Cemex colleagues are prompted by the facilitator to discuss, evaluate and consider what happened and why. Andy Taylor Health and Safety Director said: "Using actors gives a very human element to the narrative of the incident and helps colleagues to understand the situation and enable learning. It’s a graphic illustration of how we can all step-in and prevent incidents."

The day also involves a number of different exercises, including a discussion on the DuPont Bradley Curve. Everyone gets involved in a debate over whether Cemex colleagues are reactive, dependent, independent or interdependent when it comes to safety. The ideal situation would be interdependent, when everyone has a shared understanding and responsibility resulting in zero incidents. Another exercise includes an analysis of SwissAir Flight 111 and the nature of errors. Another exercise centres around team building and the creation of interdependency. Teams of eight colleagues have to lower a rod to the floor, it may sound easy but requires significant communication amongst the team.

"It’s a very rewarding day and as Ghandi says 'you have to be the change you want to see'. Let’s hope more Cemex colleagues feel empowered to step-in," said Taylor.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/17102014/cemex-uk-holds-health-and-safety-training-days-685/