Pioneering approach to wellbeing helps win 9th RoSPA Gold

A novel approach to workplace wellbeing has helped Lanes Group plc win a RoSPA Gold Health and Safety Award for the ninth year in a row to retain its RoSPA Gold Medal for multiple consecutive awards.

The UK’s largest independent drainage specialist could evidence significant health and safety initiatives during 2017, clearly demonstrating the continuous improvement expected by the award scheme.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents annual award scheme is one of the most rigorous and prestigious tests of occupational health and safety excellence in the UK.

Lanes Group Managing Director Wayne Earnshaw said: “Health, safety, and wellbeing are central to what we do as a drainage specialist, which is why we benchmark against the RoSPA Gold standard each year.

“Our continued success in winning RoSPA Gold Awards is a testament to the excellent work done by our health, safety, and quality teams – and the dedication of all our staff in striving to deliver safe service.

“As an additional incentive, if we achieve a 10th RoSPA Award Gold in 2019 we will qualify for a President’s Award, something we very much aim to achieve.”

The RoSPA Gold Award relates to all core business activity within Lanes, including services provided by its 22 regional depots, as well as the Lanes Utilities, and Lanes Rail divisions.

Lanes submitted detailed evidence and data about every aspect of occupational health and safety, including leadership, training, staff engagement, risk assessment, incident monitoring, and investigation.

Health and safety initiatives introduced during 2017 included a campaign against vehicle speeding using the company’s vehicle tracking system and the introducing of a digital lone worker monitoring system.

Lanes has developed a pioneering wellbeing app which continuously monitors the happiness of field workers, backed by professional wellbeing practitioner who works with operatives who ask for support.

The initiative, believed to be a first in the UK, has been shortlisted for a Water Industry Achievement Award and is driving improvements in people training and staff retention in the Lanes Utilities Division.

Group Health, Safety, Quality, and Environment Manager Paul McParland said: “Our aim is always to respond innovatively and robustly to all health, safety, and wellbeing challenges. We can never be complacent in seeking to embed a strong safety culture across our organisation.”

Lanes is due to receive its RoSPA Gold award during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel on Wednesday July 4, 2018.

Lanes Group: www.lanesfordrains.co.uk