Heidelberg sets safety example through competence
Case Study: Heidelberg
The UK’s quarrying, cement and minerals industry wants high standards of health and safety to be the norm within this hazardous sector. The Mineral Products Association has called on its members to become “fully competence-assured”. By working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the companies operating in the industry managed to reduce accidents by an impressive 76% over a ten year period.
Hanson UK, which is part of Heidelburg, has played its part in this industry-wide drive to raise health and safety standards. The company has been investing heavily in health and safety training and qualifications since around 2011.
Staff at all levels are expected to gain a health and safety qualification commensurate to their role and responsibilities. All UK based company directors and senior unit managers, for example, must pass the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
In 2013 Nigel Clamp joined Hanson UK as Senior Safety Health and Environment Manager. He was perfect for the role because he had both operational experience as a quarry manager and over 10 years health and safety management experience. Nigel was also well qualified having completed the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.
In this role Nigel led a team of thirteen health and safety managers, advisers, auditors and trainers who controlled 308 sites across the UK. Nigel encouraged all of his team to continue their professional development and five chose to take the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety. This helped to raise competence and improve succession planning within the department.
This proved to be a wise decision when Nigel was promoted to a different role within Heidelberg’s sizeable operation in 2016. The group employs 60,000 people based at 3,000 sites worldwide and is one of the largest aggregates and cement producers in the world. Nigel is now Health and Safety Director Africa & East Mediterranean Basin and his influence now extends to 15 different countries!
In his new role Nigel continues the significant contribution he made within Hanson UK, by both increasing awareness of health and safety and improving the safety record there. Nigel is rightly proud of what he and his team achieve.
He also greatly enjoys his new role. “I really love the complexity,” he told us. “From trespassers to unexploded sea mines, there are all kind of risks we need to manage here.”
To extend knowledge and competency in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, Nigel is currently looking to put 28 members of his team through the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.
“For me, a NEBOSH General Certificate is the first step for health and safety professionals on their journey towards achieving a high level of competence,” Nigel explained. “The International General Certificate in particular is an internationally recognised qualification which is well structured and well-balanced. Heidelberg’s willingness to fund this training reflects its commitment to invest both in our people and the drive to further improve health and safety standards in our industry.”