An Irish business group has been awarded a top safety award for its efforts in reducing risks in the workplace.
The VGC Group received the prestigious Zero Harm Improvement Award, which was presented by Balfour Beatty Managing Director Steve Tarr at the recent Balfour Beatty Zero Harm Conference.
The award was given in recognition of the company’s approach to implementing a Behavioural Based Safety programme that resulted in an improved safety culture among its workforce.
It also marked VGC’s support for the Zero Harm Programme and its high standards of delivery on the M25 project.
Balfour Beatty introduced its Zero Harm programme in 2008. Zero Harm means eliminating fatal risks and hazards, keeping the public safe from harm and encouraging employees to focus on safety.
VCG chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said: “On behalf of all our staff we are justifiably proud that our collective efforts to improve safety have been both recognised and rewarded and we intend to continue to outperform in this crucial area of our work practices.”
VGC is now actively rolling out a Behavioural Based Safety Training Course - Safe by Choice- throughout the company.
This will bring further improvements in its safety performance, support clients’ safety cultures and improve delivery on projects.
The programme operates from Board level through to front line staff where the programme promotes the benefits of strong leadership, coaching and personal responsibility in relation to safety.
Sean Fitzpatrick described how the company’s motto was that an informed worker is a safer worker. He added: “VGC’s clients can be assured that when they require staff engagement or project management support from VGC, they will be supplied with a competent service which is delivered professionally and with a positive safety culture.”
The VGC Group started in business in 1960 and has since established itself as the leading supplier of business support services.
These ranging from labour supply through to contracting, construction, recruitment, training and vehicle rental to the Civil Engineering, Rail and London Underground, Utilities, M&E and Nuclear sectors.
VGC’s safety programme includes:
• A fully audited Business Management System
• Site inspections and safety tours
• Near Miss/Close Call analysis and reporting
• Monthly Trend Analysis from site inspections and Near Miss/Close Call data
• A monthly HSQE meeting to provide feedback from client safety
• Monthly “BE SAFE with VGC” briefing for all workers
Picture Caption: VGC Group Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick (left) accepted the Zero Harm Improvement Award from Steve Tarr, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty, at the recent Balfour Beatty Zero Harm Conference.
