Your new team newsletter | Issue Four, Autumn 2016
COMPETITIONS
Win £100 in cash prizes!
i-revolution CHEVRON PREPARES TO GO DIGITAL
STEP UP New Foremen Mentor jobs launched
TEAM WORKS Finedon Depot shares its success
GETTING TO KNOW… Harry Moss
2 | @CHEVRON | Autumn 2016
WELCOME
New opportunities
This month sees the launch of an exciting leadership initiative which will promote and train 16 new Foremen Mentors across the business. The idea is to increase knowledge sharing and competency by mentoring all new starters. New Foremen Mentors will receive a pay rise and training, as part of our ongoing Leadership Development programme. It is a great opportunity, so please see page six for more details and how to apply. This issue also features the trial ‘golive’ of our new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System. Affectionately referred to as Project Midvale. The system has already gone live in our Tring depot and is being well received by the management team and workforce. If you haven’t already been involved then don’t worry, it will be coming to a depot near you very shortly! As always, if you have any comments or items you would like to see included in the newsletter, please get in touch.
Tim Cockayne
AWARDS As a company we want to recognise the contribution of staff who have reached their 10th work anniversary with Chevron. In 2016 we thank the following individuals for their dedicated service over the years: Danny Underwood Paul Jones Steven Jones John Walls Alan Flynn Michael Banham Steve Mansfield Terry Green Paul Harley Joseph Flynn John McGowan Terry Hinds Robert Williams Ian Booth
TM Foreman IPV Finedon TM Foreman Manchester TM Foreman Tring Operations Manager Manchester Fleet Manager Head Office TM Foreman Leeds Operations Supervisor Finedon TM Foreman Newport TM Operative Newport TM Foreman Manchester Auditing & Assessing Supervisor Leeds Mechanic Manchester TM Operative IPV Newport TM Operative Manchester
Each individual will receive £500 worth of high street shopping vouchers at the end of this financial year.
NEW STARTERS We are delighted to welcome the following new starters to the company: Lance Jolly as TM Foreman Neil Andrews as TM Foreman Gary Cave as TM Operative
TRAINEES As part of our continued investment in the future of Chevron, the following recruits have recently joined the company as Trainee TM Operatives: Michael Beck Stephen Campbell Danny Huges Justin Toy Jack Turner
Managing Director
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Welcome Safety is our business
!
@CHEVRON | Autumn 2016 | 3
NOTICES
Area 3 Supply Chain representatives and Oakridge Primary School celebrate completing the new construction play area.
PEOPLE
First-class effort Well done to Gary Szafnauer (Contract Supervisor, Thatcham) and the rest of the Chevron team, who facilitated a ‘Ground Force’ style makeover for a local school with the help of the Area 3 supply chain community. Oakridge Primary School in Basingstoke got in touch with Chevron after requesting some traffic cones for a new construction play area. Gary and the team not only agreed to the request but then spoke with the Area 3 main contractor, Kier Highways to see if they could help too. This resulted in Kier Highways providing a soft estate gang to tidy up some of the school’s outside areas, whilst supply chain partners, Wilson and Scott provided white lining for a new scooter track and Morelock Signs supplied street signs to teach the children about road safety.
Welcome to the world George and Bhodi! Joshua Fenner (Yardman, Thatcham) and his partner, Monica, became proud parents to George Patrick on 9 July. Bhodi Whilst Mike Fenner (Operations Manager, Thatcham) also celebrated becoming a granddad! Another gorgeous baby boy, Bhodi, arrived on 23 July to the delight of his parents Aaron Thompson (Schemes Manager, Northern Region) and his wife, Janine.
Libby Searle, Early Years Manager at the school, said: “thank you for everything you have done for us…I never would have imagined that one email for a few traffic cones would have resulted in all that you have provided for us we strive to make learning experiences that are as real as possible and your kind donations have enabled us to do just that.”
Congratulations to you all from everyone at Chevron! George
PEOPLE
Stuart’s epic charity ride Stuart Abram (Group Estimating Manager) recently completed a 969-mile cycle challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats for charity. The route saw Stuart averaging 108 miles per day over nine days and if that wasn’t tough enough, it included climbing around 15,000m. That’s the equivalent of cycling up the Alp d’Huez (Tour De France stage climb) 13 times, or almost twice the height of Everest! Congratulations to Stuart not only for completing this personal challenge, but also for raising a staggering £1800 so far for Chevron’s nominated charity - The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which cares and provides support for families with sick or terminally ill children. To make a donation, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Chevron-SAbram
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
www.chevrontm.com
4 | @CHEVRON | Autumn 2016
INNOVATION
Project Midvale roll-out After 18 months of hard work and endless frustrations with our friends in ‘software world’, we’re finally able to let Project Midvale loose. By Mark Fleckner, Director. Since October Matthew Worswick (Technical Manager, HQ) has been working tirelessly with the Management and workforce at Tring operating a pilot roll-out of our new ERP system to ensure that when we actually ‘go live’ we do so with complete confidence. Whilst there have been some frustrations at the slow progress, we genuinely feel that we’ve now got the best product for Chevron. Unfortunately, this has had an impact on the depot roll-out so we’re currently rethinking the programme and will keep everyone posted. Many thanks go to the team at Tring, particularly Dan Craig (Operations Supervisor) and Allan Underwood (Operations Supervisor), who have invested a significant amount of time in
testing and the pilot to ensure its success. They’ve truly embraced the new world and been proactively involved in the final tweaking of the solution. Thanks guys, it’s really appreciated.
What next?
Between now and Christmas a delegation from each depot team will be invited to visit Tring for a full system demonstration. We want the Operations Managers to start thinking about how they’ll need to structure their depot to maximise the efficiency of the new system. Finedon and Thatcham have already visited, so I’m sure Dale and Mike are already shaping their thoughts. Make sure your depot is at the forefront of the revolution. If you want to know more, please get in touch.
The verdict
The Tring team sit down with Matthew Worswick to chat about the new system: Matthew: What do you like the most about the new system? Allan: I find being able to copy job packs over for repeating shifts brilliant. And when something changes at the back end of the day I can change the men and vehicles without having to start over. Dan: I love having all the information at my fingertips, if something changes I can deal with the issues no matter the time or location. The system has given me the ability to work remotely from the office. And from the guys at the sharp end… Adrian Howlett (Night Supervisor): Being able to amend the guys’ job packs and update drawings and information without the team returning to the yard is great! Foremen: It’s so nice not to have to carry around piles of paper. The App is definitely the way forward! What more could the system do for you? Dan: Could it make my sandwiches before work? Well maybe not Dan, but hopefully it will give you more free time to make them yourself!
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Safety is our business
@CHEVRON | Autumn 2016 | 5
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
H&S Report October 2016
Monthly Safety & Innovation Awards
June: 0 July: 0 August: 0 September: 1 October: 0
The winners of the H&S Award since our last issue are: J uly – Simon Meech, who alerted the RCC and NCC to an accident on the M4 after a driver had failed to spot a road closure and crashed into the central reserve barrier. Simon attended the scene to ensure the driver wasn’t injured and established what had happened before liaising with Traffic Officers, the TM crew and Kier inspection team in removing the closure safely. A ugust – Mitchell Wheaton, whose forward thinking helped avert a potential incident when a damaged HGV approached a total road closure on the A49 in Shropshire after ignoring vehicle lane and low bridge warning signs. S eptember – Jack Lawrenson, who maintained the safety of the works and the travelling public in handling a situation where a tarmac gang had requested an unplanned and potentially dangerous road block on the Sheffield PFI Scheme.
This lost time injury was related to Slips, Trips and Falls. Our RIDDOR/AFR accident figure is now the lowest since March 2015.
Observations Top 5 YTD 1. Public entering/removing closure 2. Taper strikes 3. Poor planning 4. Contractors not following safety rules 5. PPE Safety Sam A summary of the types of injuries incurred to end of September Three ankle/foot injuries Three leg injuries Four arm/hand injuries Two head/neck and back injuries
Well done all! Remember the monthly prize is now £100.
Observe and Report Your ongoing commitment to submitting Observation Reports and contributing at monthly depot meetings continues to help us drive improvements across the business that lead to a safer working environment for you and your colleagues.
Remember it is against the law to use a handheld mobile phone, smart phone or tablet whilst in control of a motor vehicle. It is also extremely dangerous due to the potential for causing distracted driving and accidents.
Over the past 12 months your feedback has led us to: Improve the vehicle design specification for all new vehicles I ntroduce new and improved head torches Introduced new Airlock Gate procedures at sensitive closure points to reduce the risk of conflict with the public
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Create and roll-out our SMART Foreman course Commence trials on MSM using IPVs in an upstream capacity Hopefully, you can see from the above that we do listen and take action where practicable. Therefore, it is vital that you keep giving us this invaluable feedback to allow us to improve safety in our workplace.
www.chevrontm.com
6 | @CHEVRON | Autumn 2016
EMPLOYEES
Calling all Foremen! From this month all depot Foremen have a chance to step up and become one of 16 new Foremen Mentors. The new role provides a bridge between foremen and supervisors and aims to increase competency and embed positive behaviours by mentoring all new starters through their probationary period and beyond, if needed.
Responsibilities
There will be two Foremen Mentors appointed per depot, who will be responsible for overseeing the progress of new trainee starters, as well as mentoring and assessing qualified operatives and foremen joining Chevron for the first time. Foremen Mentors will need to sign off these individuals before they are allowed to work independently, or as part of other crews.
The benefits
Foremen Mentors will receive a pay increase of £5 per shift, as well as a three day training course covering their roles and responsibilities and giving them the basic tools needed to be a good mentor. This will be provided by Cleartrack Performance, as part of the Company’s ongoing Leadership Development programme. Each Mentor will also be supported initially by a supervisor within each depot. Each mentor role will be let on a rolling 12-month basis, renewable on the tenth month of each year, and depending on the success of the new role, additional Foremen Mentor roles may be created.
How to apply
Foremen will be required to complete a basic application form (sent via email by 25th November) stating the qualities and experience they believe they can bring to the role. For further details or an application form, please email your local Operations Manager.
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Safety is our business
@CHEVRON | Autumn 2016 | 7
PEOPLE
Getting to know…
Harry Moss, We lfa re Dr ive r, Tha tc ha m
Harry, what do you enjoy most about working at Chevron? The company is always willing to help, where possible. On a night out in the Welfare vehicle (or for a dinner party) who would be your 3 dream guests (you can include anyone dead or alive!)? My welfare vehicle is not for private use!
If you were shipwrecked on a desert island what three items would you take? Water, shoes and a knife Favourite film? Any Clint Eastwood film Favourite food? Salad Favourite music? 60s rock and roll music Hobbies? My Ford RS turbo and anything that needs to be done
CAPTION COMPETITION
Congratulations to Matt Jones (TM Foreman, Thatcham), who who came up with the winning caption from our last issue.
“Is this the works access?”
CONTACT US If you have any news stories, want further information on any subject or have any queries, please contact our Business Development Manager, Lisa Killinger. Chevron Traffic Management, 3 Thame Business Park, Wenman Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3XA 01844 354666 Lisa@chevrontm.com Visit us on the web at www.chevrontm.com Follow us on Twitter @ChevronTM Find us on Yammer Join the discussion on LinkedIn
TATTOO FIXERS! For a chance to win £100, we’re looking for Chevron’s most embarrassing/ amusing tattoos. To enter, please send a photo to lisa@chevrontm.com and we’ll announce the winner in the next edition.
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
www.chevrontm.com
8 | @CHEVRON | Autumn 2016
DEPOT FOCUS: FINEDON
CLIENT INBOX
Team works Finedon celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, but there’s a lot more history behind it as Operations Manager, Dale Hicks explains. Chevron Traffic Solutions as it was first known, was formed way back in November 1998 and was originally based in St Albans, servicing London and the South of England. In 2002 the depot moved to Sandy in central Bedfordshire, where we received the first ever Chevron IPV! We then made the move to our current depot in Finedon in 2006. A revamp last year means we now have better offices and a new kitchen, plus a safer vehicle one-way system following the relocation of all the caravans. It’s always a hive of activity 24-7 here and we have a great team of Supervisors and office staff as well as the gangs on the road. The depot has been heavily involved in Chevron’s initiative of recruiting ex-forces personnel, employing nine new trainee TM Operatives (some now qualified and fully trained). All of whom have been a welcome addition to an already hardworking and committed workforce. The depot turns over an average of £5m
Jamie Morris
Site Manager, Kier WSP
Aseri Waqa, Trainee Operative with a member of the Kier WSP team
annually and is set to service part of the recently awarded Traffic Management contract for Highways England Area 7. This is alongside other works, such as Areas 6 & 8 for Amey, Northamptonshire County Council term maintenance contract, and Balfour Beatty Living Places contract for street lighting. Finedon is one of the most versatile depots, offering all types of TM from Streetworks to high speed and major schemes. A recent scheme to demonstrate this was a rare type of Tidal Contraflow on A14 Stowmarket for Amey in Area 6. Our other achievements include completing a huge micro surfacing contract for Kier WSP recently, with an impressive 90 road closures over a period of just four months. Our Foreman Colin Hicks and his team performed professionally throughout; even on one occasion dealing with a serious breach of a road closure by a member of the public, who was arrested and later charged.
Finedon fact file:
Karl Sadiford
Balfour Beatty Mott McDonald I would like to say the workforce you sent on to this job put in a great effort to ensure the scheme ran as well as it did. There was the odd hiccup or two, but we used these to increase awareness and put further measures in place that improved the site for everyone. The site, as large as it is, has been well maintained with regards to housekeeping and the work conducted in a safe, efficient, yet controlled manner. Safety aside, one of the most important things for me is teamwork. Chevron, Carnell, Roocroft and myself all worked as a team from start through to completion.”
Location: The depot is in Finedon, Northamptonshire. An ideal location to service the Midlands. Team: 53 permanent Operatives, plus around 10 agency staff used on a regular basis. Equipment: 5 x IPVs and 25 x 3.5 tonne pick-ups.
I just wanted to say how impressed we all were with the crew that was allocated to us on this year’s surface treatments contract. Especially considering the size and complexity of some of the sites, there were very few issues and a good solid working relationship was built between Chevron and Kier employees, a big thank you!”
The Team at Finedon
CHEVRON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
The UK’s leading traffic management specialist