Target August 2023 Edition

August 2023

The schools summer barbeque period is a very busy time for our Catering teams in the schools across Tayside in the run up to the end of term.

Find out more on pages 4-9 and see if puts you in the mood of having a bbq this weekend!

Grapevine Hello everyone, ...and welcome back to everyone lucky enough to enjoy a break away from work over the summer, it is great to have you back. As we are the biggest catering organisation, and largest civil engineering construction organisation in Tayside, the people of Tayside need you – we have got a lot to do!

Thanks again to our Communications Team for pulling together such a lively and diverse TARGET, packed with so many fantastic articles.

I was especially pleased to read about the positive and heartfelt praise from schools and pupils for our catering teams' hard work in providing summer barbeques, just before the school term finished. With 1 in 5 primary children at risk of obesity in Scotland, and 2/3 of adults classed as overweight, it is so important to encourage young people away from less healthy options and choose our healthy, safe, nutritious, and delicious school meals – so they will grow up healthy and take positive eating habits into their later life. The hard work of our catering teams is paying off as we have an increase of over 10% of pupils choosing our meals service, compared to this time last year.

Your health, safety and wellbeing are vitally important, and I was delighted to be part of the audience, alongside over 300 Construction colleagues, for the three excellent SHAD (Safety and Health Awareness Day) events - which are also featured in this edition. I learned so much about keeping safe in the demanding work that our Construction colleagues carry out – as well as how we can also look after our health and wellbeing. The organising team for the SHAD events did a marvellous job in putting on these events for all of us.

So please stay safe and well – and look out for each other, and I hope you enjoy this edition of Target.

Keith 2

What are Confucius Classroom Hubs

Confucius Classrooms are hubs radiating out across a local authority, based in schools and serving the local community.

The hub concept promotes joint planning of cultural activities, sharing ideas and resources to stimulate the learning and teaching of Chinese language and culture.

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Amy Wilson, Regional Account Manager, Remploy added:

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According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), head injuries account for over 25% of fatal injuries in the UK workplace, and a further 3,500 non-fatal head injuries are reported each year.

nin Cro e o J

on ers p e r Sto ee d n u -D

Hard Hat Awareness Week was introduced to drive awareness of preventing head injuries through ensuring head protection is worn and cared for correctly on construction sites.

Elaine Mollison & Chris Brown Safety and Training Team

Dave Ferrier - Angus Operations

The most common causes of head injuries are because of slips, trips and falls, which account for 30% of all incidents, followed by working at height and impact from falling objects.

Despite all this information a recent national survey revealed that nearly half of construction workers ‘rarely’ or ‘don’t ever’ wear a hard hat, while less than one in five wear a hard hat most of the time.

Hard Hat Awareness Week ran from 12 – 16 June and we were pleased to be involved to highlight the importance surrounding hard hats to our employees and help improve these statistics through a safety alert, toolbox talk, site visits and daily tweets

By Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser

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By Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser

Tayside Contracts embarked on our biggest Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD) over three consecutive days, from 16 to 18 May in our Dundee, Forfar and Ruthvenfield Depots.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a delayed SHAD and unlike previous events this one was planned and delivered from our three main depots across Tayside and was attended by 300 Construction Division colleagues.

The three-day events linked into the National Campaign 'Mental Health Awareness Week 2023' which ran from 15 to 21 May. The SHAD planning team worked extremely hard to find and secure speakers who would give a relevant and effective health and safety message to the audience. Then the team had the real challenge of comfortably accommodating everyone in our depot locations; provide IT and equipment for speakers; source over 100 chairs; make sure that everyone was refreshed with teas/coffees/lunches which was delivered smoothly and successfully each of the 3 days.

The SHAD planning team extended their thanks to the following Garry Livie presenters and organisations (Trainer/Assessor, Tayside Contracts) demonstrated the use of the Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and the Signal Generator (Genny). Garry stressed the importance of using both the CAT and Genny and cited a personal and real-life example of a near miss with a HV cable when he was digging without using the CAT. He reminded everyone that they are now an essential piece of kit on all our sites.

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Andy’s Man Club is a UK charitable organisation described as “a talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues and challenges they have faced or

These men are so brave to stand up and share their stories and why

are currently facing. Mark Inglis attended our Dundee and Forfar events and brought along with

they came to be involved.

him Bryan who both shared their

their attendance made

personal stories with the groups.

Alex McClintock attended the day in Perth and shared his story of his

an impact, and we will

own mental health journey. They

champion groups such

all explained that the aim of the club is to support men and to lend

as Andy’s Man Club.

We have no doubt that

continue as an organisation to

a hand when it is needed.

Michael’s Story Louise Adamson bravely delivered a powerful presentation telling her brother Michael’s story of how he was killed at work. Michael was just 26 years old, and engaged to be married, when he left home one morning and didn’t return. He died in an entirely preventable electrical incident. Louise has left a huge impact on Tayside Contracts, and we will continue to tell Michael’s Story when we can and the importance of following the safe systems of work set out for your job.

PAM Group Duncan Sangster, Physiotherapist and Karen Kirkpatrick, Occupational Health Advisors delivered an informative presentation around our Occupational Health support within Tayside Contracts and how they can assist prevent physical and mental ill health that may occur as a result of our operations and activities.

Zurich Gordon Small and Gary McIsaac delivered a pragmatic presentation on Lifting Operations and Equipment, explaining why it which is important that equipment should be regularly checked by users, and what to do if it is damaged or faults.

This session gave everyone an understanding of working equipment and the part they have to play in making sure it is safe to use.

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Logistics UK Duncan McCormack delivered a lively presentation around Driver Pre Start Checks and Domestic Drivers Hours Regulations. He stressed the need that all our drivers fully understand the rules that apply to them when driving and the importance prestart driver checks.

The events were also opened and closed off by Keith McNamara (Managing Director) and Dougie McKay (Head of Operations).

On behalf of Tayside Contracts, the Safety and Training Team would like to thank all our guest presenters who delivered what we believe was a fantastic event for our Construction employees.

Keep your eyes peeled for future Health and Safety campaigns and initiatives being ran within Tayside Contracts.

By Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser

Safety Observation Online Reporting The Safety and Training Team have been busy developing online incident reporting, with accident forms, near miss incidents and cable strikes now all reported online and sent directly to the team with instant notification. Included in this improved reporting system is the new online safety observation reporting form.

Currently this is being rolled out in Construction for a short trial period and is expected to be made available to the whole organisation very shortly……so watch this space.

The purpose of the safety observation online reporting it to give all employees the opportunity to send any safety observations directly to the Safety and Training Team through their own mobile devices. This information will help in preventing future incidents and injuries by pro-actively resolving hazards and engaging and empowering the workforce in addressing H&S issues and improving safety performance.

The team continue to ask that you raise any issues directly with your line manager in the first instance. Otherwise, the form can be used to advise the Safety and Training Team of unaddressed Health and Safety hazards in your workplace. The form can also be used if you wish to share any safety suggestions or positive Health and Safety observations.

Some recognition for the Dundee Roads Partnership's involvement in installing four new water rescue equipment stations.

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By Susie Newton, Training and Development Adviser

E E Y O L P NEW EM E! L B A L I A V A S T I F E BEN

Our employee benefits platform gives you access to:

Lifestyle Savings which gives you access to a range of discounts across UK major retailers including supermarkets, technology, fashion, travel and much more!

YEE O L P M E NEW !

E L B A L I VA A S T I F E BEN Our employee benefits platform gives you access to:

A Cycle to Work Scheme which allows you (providing you meet the eligibility criteria) to enter into a 12 month salary sacrifice agreement to exchange part of your gross salary (i.e. pre-tax) in exchange to hire a bike and associated safety equipment/accessories up to the value of £1000.00 over a 12 month period providing you use the bike and safety equipment/accessories mainly for commuting to work (mainly means more than 50% of its usage).

Some recognition for the Dundee Roads Partnership's involvement in installing four new water rescue equipment stations.

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YEE O L P M E NEW !

E L B A L I VA A S T I F E BEN Our employee benefits platform gives you access to: A Home and Electronics Scheme which allows you (providing you meet the eligibility criteria) to enter into a 12 month agreement to purchase one home and electronics product up to a maximum of 10% of your annual gross salary from your net pay. The scheme is capped at one product every 12 months.

Your Care where you can access a range of personal, emotional and financial wellbeing tools to help you be a happier, healthier you!

E E Y O L P NEW EM E! L B A L I A V A S T I F E BEN Our employee benefits platform gives you access to:

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) where you can receive confidential, impartial assistance to help you in times of need including a 24/7, 365 days helpline!

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E E Y O L P NEW EM !

E L B A L I VA A S T I F E BEN

1.

2.

3.

If you are considering using the new Cycle to Work Scheme and Home and Electronics Scheme, please read the full scheme and associated terms and conditions to check your eligibility prior to submitting an order.

Tayside Contracts is committed to protecting the privacy of the people whose personal information we hold and to meeting our data protection obligations. Visit Privacy Notice for the Employee Benefits Platform Privacy Notice.

'yo ur bec aus car e' ew ec are !

‘Your Care’ is the gateway to a happier, healthier you. The evidence-based interventions and support tools have been designed to help you build mental resilience and strengthen your personal, emotional, and financial wellbeing to help you live your best life!

There is a wealth of information that you can confidentially access on ‘Your Care’ including podcasts and blogs led by experienced clinicians which cover a range of topics including Alcohol Awareness, Coping with Stress, How to Sleep Better, Men’s Mental Health and Women’s Mental Health.

You can set yourself goals and monitor them via the tools available such as ‘be more active’, ‘eat more healthily’ and ‘sleep better’. You can even access Hello Fresh recipes!

You can also assess your mental, physical and financial health with a range of online assessments.

Free and impartial help, advice and tips on how to reduce your utility bills, manage your money and deal with debt issues, as well as support for tackling these problems in emergency situations is available. There is also a confidential online debt advice service.

You can call the employee assistance programme on 0300 380 0658 to speak in confidence to fully qualified counsellors and support specialists 24/7, 365 days a year.

When you call, you will be asked a few simple questions so that they can provide you with the very best service and support. You will then be connected to one of their fully trained counsellors and support specialists who are highly experienced in clinical risk management, solution-focused therapies and other clinical approaches.

To access ‘Your Care’: 1. Visit www.vivup.co.uk and click on the ‘Register’ button to self register.

2. Select ‘Tayside Contracts’ from the Organisation drop down list 3. Complete your ‘name’, ‘email address’ and ‘employee number’ (your 6 numerical digit payroll number detailed at the top of your payslip) 4. Set yourself a confidential ‘password’ and agree to the terms and conditions to complete your registration.

Tayside Contracts is committed to protecting the privacy of the people whose personal information we hold and to meeting our data protection obligations. Visit Privacy Notice for the Employee Benefits Platform Privacy Notice.

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We are very grateful for the feedback posted on Facebook from Councillor Heather Anderson on 10th August. Councillor Anderson stated: ‘Just before the summer holidays, I went along to Our Lady's and Rosebank dinner hall to sample the Tayside Cuisine school lunches. There were photos of me and Gary Conway of Tayside Contracts enjoying the lentil soup, the steak pie and veg, the vegetable korma and the pineapple and watermelon for dessert.

Nothing was left on our plates, but I've not shared the photos because the hall was full of children who were doing the same thing!

This week Cllr Steven Rome and I had an extensive tour of the Tayside Cuisine kitchens. We were impressed by the sheer scale of the operation and the acute focus on ensuring that all food intolerances and allergies are nutritionally met, with separate kitchen areas, staff and equipment being used to ensure there is no cross contamination.

Some 25,000 portions of food are prepared every day. 1,000 of those will be for community meals and around 200 each day are specific recipes to meet dietary requirements.

The photo is me with the food waste bin from. the whole site pretty impressive that there's such a tiny amount of food waste from an operation of this scale.

Thanks to Ibukun Strachan and Jane Deasley for their time on the tour and answering all our questions.’

Dundee Bairns – Volunteering

In the second week of the school holidays, Angie Dodds and her son Ben volunteered with Dundee Bairns to help deliver lots of healthy and nutritious packed lunches across Dundee, which were all freshly made each day by the Coldside Campus catering team. Angie and Ben’s deliveries included Ancrum Primary School, Dryburgh Athletic (Kids football training group), Balgay Park and Kingspark Special School.

Angie added it was a good way of getting her teenager out of bed and away from devices for a couple of hours and was glad he was there to help lift the heavy boxes in and out of the car!

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YOUNG PERSON'S GUARANTEE

DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE Tayside Contracts are delighted to report that for the second year we have been recognised as an approved official Young Person’s Guarantee Employer.

As you may be aware the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) aims to connect every 16 – 24-year-old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training or volunteering. It could also be an enterprise opportunity. We have been working hard with colleagues in our Councils` Education Services, Employability teams, and also local further education providers, to make these links to support young people.

This recognition captures the essence of our 'Communities' commitment set out in our Business Plan and demonstrates the commitment we have made to our local young people in Tayside and the progress made to date including attending school Career Events, facilitating work placements, and increasing our apprenticeships.

We are pleased to report that in year 1 we achieved the following results.

Developed new promotion material for use at career events/issue out to schools.

Attendance at 8 school career events throughout Tayside.

Worked closely with 6 schools in the Tayside Area (2 per area) and delivered school talks, prepared for 2023/24 classrooms activities such as CV/Interview skills.

Our Nutrition and Menu Teams delivered key talks in schools around food and nutrition, as well as promoting the school meals service.

Supported 18 work placements throughout the organisation.

Promoted the “Apprenticeship Week” in March 2023.

Supported our Modern Apprenticeships around Construction/Transport Division and supported one Graduate Apprenticeship in IST. We recognise the most important people in all of this are the young people, and hopefully we can make a positive difference to their lives, as well as building our workforce for the future.

By Keith McNamara, Managing Director

The Dundee Roads Maintenance Partnership (DRMP) recently completed a new exciting and unique project for our partners Dundee City Council.

The project, which was a community led design, was implemented to transform the area into a more valuable and attractive space.

The Stobswell Forum community group worked in partnership with Sustrans Scotland, Dundee City Council and Scottish Water to design permanent enhancements on five routes off Albert Street (Arthurstone Terrace, Balmore Street, Craigie Street, Langlands Street and Park Avenue), with Tayside Contracts engaged to install the agreed solution. The team effort means there is now better signage and wayfinding links to benefit those living, working and travelling through the area.

The project, included a diverse range of work types ranging from carriageway resurfacing, construction of new speed table, footway reconstruction, removal of old and installation of new street lighting, construction of pocket park with rain gardens and seated areas, along with smaller rain gardens tying into existing drainage.

Michael Thomson & Raymond Leitch of the DRMP were responsible for leading on the delivery of the onsite civils works throughout the duration of the project, while the DRMP’s Peter Lindsay and Barrie Downie co-ordinated all specialist lining elements of the project.

By John Curran, Dundee Road Maintenace Partnership Manager

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One Construction - Collaborative Working Across Partnerships The Dundee Roads Maintenance Partnership (DRMP) recently assisted the Perth Roads Maintenance Partnership (PRMP) in delivering a two phase, three week long, major resurfacing scheme on the A93 near Lair Bridge, Glenshee. The schemes, which were in two locations (MacThomas and Glen Kirlie), required early contractor involvement due to the technicalities of work involved and the need for the work to be undertaken during the night to ensure that tourists and commuters were minimally affected by the works.

The works, which had an extensive diversion that was approximately 3 hours in duration, featured a combination of overlay and inlay resurfacing works to varying depths (in a combination of asphaltic concrete and stone mastic asphalt) due to existing site drainage restriction. Traffic management to allow the works to be carried out safely was erected and taken down daily to accommodate the working hours of 8pm to 6am and to ensure the public had access during the day, this resulted in a strict working window each evening, with no room for delays.

To ensure work was delivered within the demanding timescale, Tayside Contracts supply chain was utilised with specialist Traffic Management being delivered by Contraflow Ltd, with lining and road studding works completed by WJ Scotland upon completion of each phase of the resurfacing.

One Construction - Collaborative Working Across Partnerships By engaging with the client (Perth & Kinross Council) well in advance of the scheme commencing, the DRMP were able to identify potential risks pre-start and were able to organise for a statutory undertaker (British Telecoms) to attend site under the DRMP’s closure to undertake repairs on two items of defective apparatus on specific dates avoiding delays in the works programme and ultimately delays to end users of the A93.

Nearly 2,500t of coated material was laid across three weeks with Tayside Contracts own quarry at Collace supplying the majority of the coated material across the first two weeks of the schemes.

I personally took the opportunity to visit the project delivery team led by Graeme Allan (Project Manager, DRMP) and Rory Keen (Chargehand Roadwork, DRMP) on the final week of the nightshift. I had received many positive comments regarding the delivery of the project and wanted to take the opportunity to pass these on whilst the works were ongoing.

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One Construction - Collaborative Working Across Partnerships

The works were of a very high standard which was no mean feat given that they were undertaken with limited light available, overhead power lines throughout and of course large swarms of midges which certainly added to the challenge!

This project is a great example the benefits that Partnership and cross boundary working can deliver. Given the PRMP’s extensive workload, the DRMP were asked about the possibility of accommodating these works within their own annual programme.

Without hesitation, the DRMP agreed and there was no shortage of volunteers who wanted to assist with the delivery of this nightshift.

Once again, this shows the collaborative benefits of Tayside Contracts business model to deliver cross boundary works.

Graeme, Rory and the site team should take full credit for delivering a high-quality scheme which will benefit the area for years to come.

By John Curran, Dundee Road Maintenace Partnership Manager

Area 1 Pony Club 'I just wanted to pass on our grateful thanks again for the fabulous packed lunches you supplied on Sunday. The two wee girls were driven around the site to help hand out the lunches to all the volunteers - they had an absolute ball and it will have given them an appreciation of the manpower involved so that they and their fellow members can enjoy weekends like this with their horses.'

Some of the feedback from the Community Fund recipients.

Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Football Club

'We are very grateful for what we did in their car park for the Trust.'

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Togs for Tots

'We are very grateful for the signage you provided us with so people can now find us.'

Friockheim Park Community Volunteers 'We are very grateful to Tayside Contracts Community Fund for providing signage for our public toilets, and mobile signs to help us pick litter safely - this is a big help to our volunteers working for the local community.'

Some of the feedback from the Community Fund recipients.

Murton Farm

All in association with

Alison, the manager of the charity on site said she was delighted with the work being done - all at no cost to them.

As you can see from the previous pages, the Community Fund has served Tayside well so far, and these are just a hand full of the goods and services we have provided for free. We have provided hot meals, packed lunches, filled potholes, line painting on car parks, provided and erected signage, and cleaned buildings.

The Community Fund reopens on 1st September till 31st October and is open to charities and voluntary organisations and constituted groups. We can provide our goods and services up to a maximum of £3,000, so why not help us spread the word and let everyone know about this fund that could help charities and similar organisations in a big way.

You can find out more information on our Community Fund webpage.

There is a guidance document which is helpful in finding out what is available and covered by the Community Fund.

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