Balfour Kilpatrick works to boost behavioural safety

Attitudes to safety within Balfour Kilpatrick have been boosted by the delivery of a behavioural safety training module to 2150 operatives of this multi-services contractor and its subcontractors. This 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 at over 140 sessions. The modules were delivered through the people, partnership, performance (PPP) programme that 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. The PPP modules are put together using feedback and ideas from staff and operatives. Their development 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 being learned put into practice on site. He says, ‘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, says, ‘We believe that PPP embraces an operating philosophy which sets us apart from our competitors and helps deliver the real benefits of consistency and certainly to our clients. The team is looking to the challenge of spreading the PPP message to everyone in the company.’ John Moore, managing director, add, ‘We expect our workforce to intervene when they see someone doing something wrong, because it does make a difference.’

Related links:

• www.balfourkilpatrick.com