Lone worker protection device wins safety award
Fabricator / Welder Kyle Burrows has received a safety award from the Adey Steel Group for championing the use of lone worker devices.
Kyle, who has worked for the family-owned business for almost two years, suggested introducing lone worker devices for the night shift as part of the Adey Steel Group’s ‘Safety Month’ in April.
Last month, Adey Steel Group celebrated 10 years of its Safety First initiative by holding its first-ever ‘Safety Month’. As part of the initiative, colleagues from all areas of the specialist steel fabricator in Loughborough were encouraged to make safety suggestions as part of a companywide Safety Survey, with the best suggestions winning £100 worth of Love 2 Shop vouchers. Over 40 suggestions were made by the workforce.
And Kyle’s recommendation for the introduction of a lone worker device that would raise an alarm if one of the team became unwell or even injured was singled out by the business as the winner.
Now, following successful trials with Pick Protection, the device is set to be rolled out by the night shift on the five-acre site as part of the company risk management systems.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that my suggestion for the lone worker devices was chosen,” explained Kyle, who also acts as a First Aider for the Adey Steel Group. “We have a relatively small team working nights and there’s always the chance that one of us becomes unwell, or worse, injured and won’t be seen. I’d hate for this to happen which is why I recommended the device. It’s been brilliant to see my idea turning into reality and the devices set to be rolled out to the team shortly.”
Charlotte Huband, Group HSE Manager at the Adey Steel Group, added: “Safety is one of our core values, so it was great see everyone’s continuing commitment by making so many suggestions.
“However, Kyle’s idea really stood out, as did his desire to be pro-active and avoid a problem happening in the first instance, and it was a pleasure to award him the prize. The response to ‘Safety Month’ has been really positive and we’re looking forward to doing this again next year to coincide with World Health and Safety Day.”