With a comprehensive safety strategy, and the results to prove its effectiveness, Twigden homes took the top prize in this category, sponsored by Dunbar Bank

Winner: Twigden Homes

Twigden boasts an accident incident rate of less than half the construction industry norm, testament to the effective safety procedures in place at this Kier Group company. The company’s strategy includes monthly site safety audits and clear safety information for potential homebuyers at its site sales centres and in its sales brochures. Regular meetings with other safety departments in the Kier Group to exchange ideas and examples of good practice is one of a number of measures introduced to improve communication.

Second: Lovell

“Your life, their loss,” is the slogan for a safety campaign launched by affordable housing contractor Lovell this year. The slogan drew attention to the fact that it is not only the injured person who is affected by an accident on site. The message is being brought home to workers through posters, toolbox talks and a special logo. The company has also launched two campaigns highlighting the dangers of construction to children, featuring the cartoon characters Laura and Lenny Lovell who appear in a colouring book.

Third: Countryside Properties

Countryside’s safety officers are armed with digital cameras so they can snap examples of good or bad practice. Images are downloaded to laptops for knowledge sharing and debate in safety meetings. Other company initiatives include a trial issue of kit bags of personal protective equipment for subcontractors and a health and safety section on the group’s new intranet site.

Fourth: St George

A million safe working hours at its flagship St George Wharf scheme in Lambeth, south London, is among the key achievements of developer St George. It has also reduced its accident incident rate, introduced managing directors’ health and safety tours, and extended its fire safety and first aid training.

Joint Fifth

Berkeley Homes
At the heart of Berkeley’s strategy is the contractor management information system, a robust set of processes and procedures developed by a new contractor management team. The strategy has reduced the company’s accident frequency rate significantly. Haslam Homes
Haslam Homes has taken safety consciousness beyond the site by providing sales advisers who use their own cars with free membership of a motoring breakdown organisation and by running awareness training for company car drivers. On site, a safety committee, newsletters and monthly safety checks are key elements of the company procedure.