We all find it difficult to get back into ‘work mode’ after a holiday, so when the whole company has been on holiday at the same time, it can be a recipe for disaster! What can you do to prevent this time of year being a high accident rate period?

Mindset

Basically, it’s all about mindset – getting everyone back into work mode and focusing on health and safety as we do throughout the rest of the year. The best way to tackle the problem is head on, by talking to people as soon as they return to work. In 2011 we ran a safety awareness session early in the new year at BAE systems UK Munitions manufacturing sites, to focus everyone on starting back to work safely. As a result of this (as well as other factors and improvements in awareness and culture) BAE saw a 50% reduction in accidents in the first three months of 2011, proving that with the right attitude … we can prevent accidents.

Awareness workshops

That’s why we were asked to create a back to work awareness session for BAE systems again at the end of 2011 – this was launched in the first week back to work in 2012. Using a mix of actors and selected employees, we filmed a dramatised scenario where a group of well meaning employees take an unnecessary risk, causing one of them to end up with a life changing injury. Using BAE employees made the situation more relevant and personal to the site employees, as well as adding extra interest and creating much discussion!

Create debate

There were accompanying speaker notes to assist the presenter in running a discussion group about how the accident could have been prevented through actions, behaviours and attitudes etc. Employees were engaged in discussion and encouraged to think about how they can play their part in the safety of the site.

Train the trainer

Immediately prior to Christmas, Clare Solomon travelled around the sites to train the managers in delivering the message. Not all managers are necessarily the best at presenting, so these group coaching session played an important part in the overall success of the safety campaign, as the more prepared the presenter, the better the message will be put across.

BAE Systems’ Munitions business took their employees out for one hour in the first week of the year to ensure they were in the right mind set to start back safely and cautiously. This hopefully will continue to help them to drive down accidents and give a good start to the year.

Comment from: Head of Health and Safety Ian Smith.

“The back to work event has been a great success which has got everyone quickly back into work mode thinking about the health and safety risks after a two week Christmas break – a time when historically we have seen a rise in H&S incidents.  The theme this year focused on manual handling, which accounts for about 40% of our near misses and incidents.  The events, led by the team leader, were also designed to get people thinking about the Manual Handling risks in their area and discussing the issues and potential corrective action.  Using a mix of professional and in-company actors makes the events fun and enjoyable, which ensure that most people actively take part and remember the key messages.”