Safety Card Talks

We have designed and developed Safety Card Training Talks. These are based on the Tool Box Talk structure on the back of playing cards and are intended to give advice and guidance on site related tasks to site operatives.

The Safety Card Training Talks were developed by Ceilite staff to assist us in staff development. We were attending to tool box talks and, whilst these were of good use, our H & S committee felt the delivery and concept could be improved. The tool box talks were on A4 paper, our operatives would then complete the Tool Box Talk, sign this off and hand it in. Once we had done this, the needed guidance talk was not available to our operatives for reference on site and therefore the Tool Box Talk guidance was limited in the availability when needed by site operatives.

There are 55 Safety Card Training talks covering the key subjects in site safety. The cards are designed for multi company use; the cards have been laid out in a structured format which will assist the operative who has not received any formal training on how to deliver or receive Safety Card Training talks.

We have set out to develop the existing wide spread process of Tool box talks delivery and have had the vision to develop a training tool to be relevant, usable and an acceptance by site operatives using the Playing Card deck as an index. Operatives complete the talk, they would then put the title information on their timesheet or other paperwork with the date of the talk and the talk attended i.e. eight of hearts, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, July 4th 2011.

Our Safety Card Training talks are structured to assist in the delivery of a safety talk, this is not a substitute for formal training, but an addition to give advice and reference prior to attending to works relating to the Safety Card Talk or a topping up of general information which will assist the Operative in relevant Health and Safety knowledge to their works.

We have enclosed the following:

  • A BAM Best Practice Guide for our Safety Card Talks – Ref 7A
  • A few samples of the Safety Cards – Ref 7B
  • Our Safety Card Talks live chart – Ref 7C

The safety card system is designed for site operatives to have constant access to refer to these guidance talks as and when needed. The novel concept makes these user friendly and appeals to the level these talks are aimed at, allowing the user to be informed and safer. This allows employers to be safe in the knowledge that operatives are safe and that the required records are kept as required by the HSE.

The Safety Card Training Talks can play a part in satisfying duties and supporting legislation, they promote the discussion of safety topics and procedures. They should be repeated at regular intervals and a record kept of who has received this training. Training records may be required as proof at a later date.

Our safety card training talks coloured chart shows all the talks covered, the date of the last talk, the frequency the talk has taken place and the talks that refresher training is needed on – we keep a record of these talks to ensure that the refresher training is kept up to date. By communicating this information (Notice board & own hard copy) all site operatives embrace this progression for safety guidance and its delivery.

These Safety Card Talks can be used for guidance before you carry out a particular task e.g. working at heights or on an (as and when) basis over a cup of tea. Whilst our objectives have been met we elected to share this initiative with others we have distributed (1900 packs to date free of charge, first run was 2000 packs). The feedback from numerous individuals, companies and associations has been very encouraging.

We have been able to reduce our accident rates by 50% from raising awareness and this reduction in accidents has had a positive impact for all Ceilite employees. We have enhanced the company with safety awareness of employees thus giving the employees and the customer a better, safer service. Our workforce now have the confidence to say no if they do not feel comfortable with what they are being asked to do on site, they are able to use the safety card talks we have issued as guidance.

We have attended various meetings and given out the Safety card talks. One benefit example of this networking method is we gave out these to Summit Skills Operation Manager Bob Blake and regional Ivor Rowley. These in turn were passed onto Peterborough Regional College who ‘have found the cards to be a valuable learning tool and they are now an integral part of our Health and Safety delivery’ (Graham Valentine installation lecturer).

We believe that the Safety Card Training Talks will be of benefit to many. The easy to use cards have a novelty feel that helps bring serious subjects as a learning tool to site operatives. This training allows management to be safe in the knowledge that the operatives have the safety training tools for their activities to allow them to carry out their tasks in a safe and efficient manner. Ceilite expect to achieve no financial return for the Safety Training Card Talks (this is a not for profit training initiative), directly we have had a reduction in accidents and this has reduced lost time for our operatives.

We feel Ceilite has excelled in our industry and have a Health and Safety training tool that can be widened for operatives across our industry. Ceilite’s unselfish approach to sharing of best practice, we feel is a generous attitude in business and sets us aside from others who may not be as willing to share ideas or best practice. It should be noted this is a not for profit initiative by Ceilite.

For Ceilite to win would indeed highlight to others the importance of the Safety Training Card Talks. This new development can work alongside the existing Tool Box Talk procedure that is already being used within the industry as a whole. The developed talks enable the user to have constant access to the required safety information because at present the procedure of having a talk and handing it in or attending to a talk and not having the hand outs does not enable constant access or the possibility of refreshing information as required by the operatives prior to them attending to a specific task.

Whilst these talks have already been distributed to the old HVCA/new B&ES member companies and also the Institute of Refrigeration site engineers and via Summit Skills we believe that a national endorsement within our industry will set us aside from others and highlight the importance of training or awareness shortfalls that can be covered by attending to these Safety Card Talks. Winning the National Heat Pump awards and the publicity will highlight our initiative, this would be immeasurable and the awareness of this could in turn save lives.

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