Bardon Contracting's Jim Appleby: 60 seconds on safety

How long have you been involved with the health and safety side of the business?

Since the start of my career - a total of 21 years - the last five of those with Bardon Contracting. Health and safety is key to our ongoing business performance and progression.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

With a workforce that frequently moves site, ensuring that the message of our company culture gets through wherever people are operating.

What is the most dangerous thing you have seen someone do?

Early in my career, I stopped an operative who was erecting goal posts for an overhead cable out of scaffolding tubes. This is why I believe so passionately that education is the best way to reduce and eliminate risks and to achieve health and safety success.

What health and safety rule is broken most often?

The incorrect use of PPE, particularly in the summer months, has always been a problem across the industry. However, our training is addressing this, highlighting the importance of wearing PPE even in very hot weather conditions.

How do you tackle that?

Refresher training, education and communication, followed by more education and communication.

Training is a key focus for us. The majority of our employees have achieved NVQ up to Level 3 through on-site assessments, and carry CSCS cards as proof of their training and commitment to health and safety.

What do you do with frequent offenders?

We don't get many. However, offenders are warned and are given intense individual re-training. Our people are a valuable resource and we are committed to making them aware that they are responsible for their own safety and that of others.

What is your top tip for getting better buy-in for health and safety?

Top-down management involvement, walking the walk, talking the talk, backed up by tailored training and development both for individuals and teams.