HS2 LTD have this week issued a two page health and safety policy statement, which on the face of it is simply a list of the obvious things you would expect to find in such a document.
However, page two of the document is a little surprising many might say. Why? You may well ask.
Because on the face of it, the company are empowering every single employee to refuse to take any action they may feel puts them or their colleagues at risk of injury or compromises their wellbeing. Indeed, it also gives them the power to actually stop the job they are doing in such circumstances!
Simon Kirby, Chief Executive Officer, HS2 Ltd makes the above clear in his statement to all employees, with these words:
“Health and safety may not be an instinctive part of your decision making, but it should be. It must always be the first consideration in anything you do. You have my unwavering commitment that this will always be my first consideration, and I need it to be yours.
While designing for tomorrow, we need to think about today. If you see something that you think looks unsafe, it probably is – so please report it.”
But next in the statement come the real words of empowerment:
“By the same token, if you are ever asked to do something that you feel is unsafe, challenge it – whether this is someone doing something that looks unsafe, or it is the condition of equipment or infrastructure that worries you.
You are all fully empowered to stop any task that looks unsafe, and will always have my support in doing so.
Even if it turns out that the task was safe, it is always the right thing to stop and check rather than assume it is safe.
I need every one of you to work with me in developing a culture where health and safety is always front of mind.”
Only time will tell if he actually means what he says and we don’t find that managers below him victimise and ignore those raising health and safety issues.
The construction of the Channel Tunnel in the 80s showed that such fine words cannot be trusted and that profit and political motivation always compromises the health, safety and welfare of the work force.
In the meantime, workers for HS2 LTD need to understand that not withstanding such valiant words from the company’s CEO; in law, workers have the right not to do anything which puts their health, safety and welfare at risk.
You can download HS2's Health and Safety Policy statement by clicking on the pic above.
Source: HS2 Ltd
