In an effort to eliminate all foreseeable accidents in the workplace, Briggs Equipment has launched a new health and safety initiative.

E&S03EngineerEngine2[1]The ‘BE Safe’ campaign is the latest in a programme of activities that Briggs is involved in to help reduce the number of forklift truck-related accidents. Briggs is also sponsoring the Fork Lift Truck Association‘s National Fork Truck Safety Conference which will take place on Wednesday 25th September 2013 at Warwick University.

The BE Safe campaign has been developed since Briggs acquired Barloworld in 2012 and aims to encourage a new internal culture following the merging of two workforces. Since then, the number of Briggs Equipment employees has doubled to over 1,300.  Around half of the company’s employees make up Briggs’ specialist team of mobile, multi-skilled engineers, who are experts in working with an extended product portfolio involving a variety of different equipment.

Gavin Wickham, Briggs’ Operations Director, explained: “One of the key motivations to develop the BE Safe campaign is to reach into the hearts and minds of employees to try and motivate them to think a lot more about their own personal safety and the risks they are working around every day. We want to develop a new ‘stop and think’ culture whereby our employees feel empowered to talk to their managers if they have any concerns about performing certain repairs, or working in environments they feel are unsafe.”

Since launching BE Safe, Briggs has held workshops with employees using supporting materials to really help drive home health and safety messages. A series of videos were shown which featured an interview with a Briggs Equipment engineer who lost the tips of four fingers in an accident and another highlighted the risks that engineers face on a day to day basis.

In addition, the company will be running more workshops throughout the year alongside the production of more videos, events and a range of other promotional material.

Briggs Equipment’s research has shown that the most common forms of injuries involve the head and hands and the company has sourced innovative head wear and safety gloves to help reduce incidents even further.

Unknown-1“Establishing a new working culture cannot happen overnight,” Gavin continued. “However, by implementing a long-term strategy, taking small steps, but plenty of them, we’re making significant progress. We already have a team of health and safety champions in the field and from here on, it’s just a matter of time before attitudes change and the new culture spreads.”

Briggs Equipment UK

BriggsBriggs Equipment UK Ltd is a leading materials handling service provider and sole distributor of Yale Europe Materials Handling in Great Britain and exclusive Hyster products in the United Kingdom.  Providing a wide range of equipment for a broad customer base, Briggs provides innovative, tailored and cost effective solutions on a nationwide basis. With its headquarters and national support centre in Cannock, Briggs people assist and advise in the delivery of long term solutions that enable customers to develop more efficient and results driven businesses.

View all of Briggs Equipment’s latest news on the Briggs online media centre.

Company Contact:

Scott Bullock
Briggs Equipment
Orbital Way
Cannock
WS11 8XW
T: 01543 430 455
W: www.briggsequipment.co.uk
E: scott.bullock@briggsequipment.co.uk

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