Wolseley UK

Within Wolseley UK, health and safety has become an integral part of our management philosophy and we are committed to continuously improving the working environment for our staff, our customers and members of the public. A key principle behind this philosophy is the emphasis on ownership and accountability. To help the promotion of ownership and accountability and to encourage a responsible attitude to preventing injury and illness at work, the key safety theme within Wolseley UK is ‘Don't Walk By’.

A significant element of the programme has been the emphasis on providing compelling details on the moral, financial and legal drivers to the business. This has been achieved through focus communicating details of serious injuries and collisions, capturing the costs associated with injuries, collisions and highlighting any potential legal breaches.

Whilst Wolseley UK is only two years into the five-year health and safety strategy, there are already some positive achievements at both a local and national level. Some of the initiatives that have been implemented and have helped to achieve this are illustrated here.

1. Executive Health & Safety Steering Group

Wolseley UK has introduced this high profile group to help raise the profile of safety across the business. The group's remit is wide, but its main focus is on reviewing occupational health and safety strategy, and the effectiveness of tactical programmes and initiatives. It also monitors safety-related key performance indicators.

2. Safety Alerts

Safety alerts are issued to all Wolseley UK locations following the occurrence of a serious incident. Not only does this process ensure that effective safety communication is established, it also increases the awareness of all staff across the company so that control measures are implemented to prevent reoccurrences of similar incidents in the future. This initiative has proved to be one of the most successful for bringing attention to a serious topic or matter.

3. Risk Assessments

Wolseley UK has issued new generic risk assessments to all locations. The assessments have been specifically designed to simplify and improve the process for location managers, while ensuring compliance with updated legislation.

4. Safety Co-ordinator Programme

In locations where there are fifteen or more employees, a scheme has been introduced whereby a designated safety co-ordinator is responsible for supporting the location manager in health & safety matters. The role of the co-ordinator is to support the location manager and act as a point of reference for him/her to introduce and reinforce safety management processes within the location. Each safety co-ordinator receives five days externally accredited health & safety training over a ten month period. Between each module the coordinator is required to complete specific activities at their local branch. The programme is also proving useful for developing and identifying potential managers for the future.

5. ’Don't Walk By‘ Campaign

As part of our commitment to ensure the health and safety of all our employees, customers and members of the public, Wolseley UK has introduced a ‘Don't Walk By’ Campaign. This initiative is geared towards empowering employees to take ownership for health and safety matters and to encourage the reporting of all incidents, near-misses and hazardous situations to their line manager immediately.

6. Safety Communications

Wolseley UK recognises that an essential part of an effective occupational health and safety management programme is regular and consistent communication on safety related matters. To support this philosophy a regular safety article now features in all editions of the Wolseley UK employee magazine Connections.

7. Fleet safety

With 5,000 company vehicle drivers and a fleet of 2,500 commercial vehicles, one of the largest in the UK, fleet safety is a major issue for Wolseley UK. In recent years a range of innovative initiatives has been put in place, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of accidents and the winning of numerous fleet safety awards.

8. Fire Safety Management Programme

In line with the update to the Fire Safety Order which came into force in October 2006, Wolseley UK has proactively developed an on-line version of its fire risk assessment for all its locations and branches to utilise.

9. Essential Safety Theme Programme

The Essential Safety Theme programme has been designed to provide focus on key safety topics affecting Wolseley UK. This programme was launched in May 2006 and contains a 'topic of the month' theme. Each topic has been specifically designed to focus branch managers' attention on the key issues that need managing at a local level.

To support the Essential Safety Theme programme, Wolseley UK has also introduced a poster campaign, which is aimed towards increasing the awareness of all staff of the consequences of not complying with the company's safety rules.

10. Regional & Area Manager Development

With the support of both brand and operational management teams, the health, safety and environment team regularly presents at both national and local levels. The main aim of the presentations has been to highlight health, safety and environmental issues throughout the company's network of 1,800 branches.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY - Health and Safety Initiatives