Watkins HSEQ Magazine, Quarter 2

SPOTLIGHT ON...

DUST

HSEQ Newsletter Quarter 2, 2023

Roy Lovelock Grad IOSH Head of Training & HSEQ roy.lovelock@watkin.co.uk 07741906634 Kane Scott Junior HSEQ Technician kane.scott@watkins.co.uk 07554831291 Megan Place Junior Training & Consultancy Advisor megan.place@watkins.co.uk 07557833975 Lauren Place H&S and Apprentice Administrator lauren.place@watkins.co.uk

In this edition...

HSEQ Insights

Key News

Plant Rooms & QR Tags

Spotlight on...

LINKEDIN Keep up to date with Watkins Academy news and updates by following us on LinkedIn! Scan the QR code and remember to like, comment and share with your network.

Pre-Employability Programmes

Apprentices

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Watkins Academy Quarterly Insights

3

new consultancy clients

25

site safety audits

129 316

ihasco e-learning certificates

total social media likes

5

internal watkins academy courses

68

certificates & skill cards issued to external learners

280

total social media followers

SITE SAFETY AUDITS A massive thank you and congratulations to the team at our Royal Eden Docks, Excel site, for receiving the highest average percentage on safety audits this quarter.

Keep up the great work!

DE-FIB

We now have a defibrillator at our Head Office.

It is located in the main walkway outside of the ground floor meeting room.

All of our first aiders are trained on how to use in the case of an emergency.

DESK

In the HSEQ office, we have set up a standing desk.

Studies have shown that standing desks help to ease lower back, shoulder and neck discomfort.

Feel free to pop in with your laptop if you need a break from your desk!

EPI PENS Epi-pen training is now part of our scheme of works when carrying out First Aid at Work.

We have several training epi-pens to practice with so first aiders are prepared if they ever need to assist someone having an allergic reaction.

HILLS

Watkins joined Hill Group at our Rochester site for a clean up of the creek, organised by the local council.

They were joined by some local residents and other companies on site to collect litter to help the local community.

Plant room audits Over the past few months, our HSEQ Technician Kane has been liaising with our FM Solutions department, assisting them to ensure the plant rooms that their engineers maintain and service are safe to work in and mitigate the hazards and risks that our engineers may come across.

This has been done by attending Plant Rooms with Luke Mansell (FM Solutions Project Engineer), the aim is to visit different Plant Rooms every month to ensure compliance across the board and improve the overall safety of the work areas and assist in closing out any actions and issues they may come across. By Kane having an overall involvement in this area of work it will also assist to improve the relationships that we need to with clients, as this allows us to assist the client where needed.

These plant room audits are a vital part of keeping Watkins compliant with up-to-date health and safety regulations and by completing the audits we are able to keep our operatives safe. By liaising with Luke, it has assisted Kane understand the works that our operatives complete in the plant rooms and has also been able to improve Luke’s understanding of the safety requirements that we need to uphold in order to stay compliant with regulations. Therefore, will help to assist with both of their professional developments.

QR Asset management Our new QR Asset Management System is underway now with our first asset tagged up and ready to go.

The tag is used by scanning the QR code that’s on the item, to the ‘Plant & Personnel Scanner App’ via Power Apps. From here you can obtain and see the latest thorough examination records just by scanning the QR code on the item.

Thank you to Certags: Identification and Inspection Products for creating the unique tags for us!

Spotlight on....

WHAT IS SILICA

Silica is a natural substance found in varying amounts in most rocks, sand, and clay. For example, sandstone contains more than 70% silica.

Silica is also a major constituent of construction materials such as bricks, tiles, concrete and mortar.

SOURCES

You generate dust from these materials during many common construction tasks, these include cutting, drilling, grinding and nailing.

Some of this dust is fine enough to get deep into your lungs, the fine dust is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and is too fine to see with normal lighting.

It is commonly called silica or silica dust.

EFFECTS

Silica dust particles become trapped in lung tissue causing inflammation and scarring, these particles also reduce the lungs' ability to take in oxygen.

This condition is called silicosis which results in permanent lung damage and is a progressive, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease.

Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years, although it can sometimes develop after 5-10 years of exposure.

Occasionally, it can occur after only a few months of very heavy exposure.

Watch WorkSafeBC's short YouTube video on silica exposure here

click here for more information

CONTROLS

We should always try and eliminate the exposure to silica, however when tasks can’t be avoided, reduce the amount that is released, by using a Class M vacuum, or on tool dust extraction, if you can use water suppressant this will assist.

Last resort should be a tightly sealed, face fitted mask with at least an FFP3 rating for dust.

Pre-employability programmes The pre-employability programmes serves as a way to upskill individuals and assisting them in finding employment in the construction industry.

Over the past few months Watkins has had the pleasure of working with some fantastic organisations, in addition to our ongoing relationship with North Kent College.

Not only does this assist with creating opportunities for learners to help fill the skills gap in the industry, there is a moral obligation for Watkins to contribute to there social value and create opportunities for the wider community.

Watkins Academy recently completed a preemployment programme with Wates, for residents in East London.

With the help of the Academy team, the learners gained qualifications in Health and Safety in Construction and First Aid and will be sitting their CSCS tests in the coming weeks.

Social Value plays a major part in business engaging with local communities and creating opportunities for residents.

Watkins teamed up with the Hill Group UK and invited Liberty Training college learners to get a first-hand experience of a working site.

“Both learners and staff had a thoroughly enjoyable day, and this was a fantastic learning opportunity for us all, providing learners with real-life, hands-on experiences. Learners left motivated and excited about their future careers in construction. We are very grateful to the team for accommodating our visit.”

Emily Hollis MBE FCCT at Liberty Training

We are also very excited to announce that Roy Lovelock is also now on the board of Governors for Liberty!

ly woman nated as the on ie al el fe t n' id I d lpful, welcoming, he ry ve , se ur on the co om the the passion fr e se n ca u and yo trainers.

Qattara C.

ith a ent w l l e c x e ing. d was terest e n i d i v g the thin g pro and every rainin t t t p e n e r h k a T at. le t as gre ion r tha t w e a h d r c m r a a B. te info CS c Karol new g a CS n i n r a The fe ility o possib

A fantastic, enjoyable and thoroughly rewarding 5 day pre-employability programme run alongside the Prince Trust, engaging with 12 superb learners, working towards obtaining their IOSH Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers Certificate and CSCS card, to enable them to find employment in the construction industry.

Apprentices at Watkins

Mechanical

Electrical

Plumbing

I’m Jack Leggatt, 26 years old, a 4th year apprentice for Watkins, doing my domestic plumbing and gas qualification. I've finished my level 2 and 3 plumbing just finishing the gas section now, which is hopefully done before Christmas this year.

I like doing this job, because of the every day challenge you get when working within the industry, all the different sides of plumbing and pipe fitting there is. The different sites, the different people. As an apprentice you always are testing your knowledge and pushing yourself to be a better installer.

Jack Leggatt Plumbing

I'm currently working at Patchworks in Walthamstow.

I'm in my 4th year in electrical, having completed my level 3 earlier this year. I've just finished and passed my portfolio in the last few weeks and have got my final AM2 exam left which I'm looking to do within the next couple of months.

I chose the job as I enjoy solving problems, being creative alongside taking pride in my work. There's so much to electrical and constant room for progression.

Robert Urbonas Electrical I am currently working at Royal Eden Docks close to the Excel centre undertaking mechanical install, Risers and run outs, boosted cold water and heating supply.

I Attend Croydon College doing Heating and Ventilation Level 3.

My course is due to finish this year so in a few months time.

Aaron Hayward Mechanical

I enjoy working within the construction industry. I feel that the most satisfying aspect of my job and the work that I do is seeing the progress each and every day, whether that's the installations of sanitary ware or pipe work - it's rewarding seeing the end project once it's complete.

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