Lanes for Drains up for health and safety gong

AN initiative to change the way engineers in the West Midlands think and feel about safety has put drainage company Lanes for Drains in line for a prestigious business award.

Lanes for Drains, which has 21 operating centres, including depots in Birmingham and Stafford, has been named as a finalist in the Construction News Health and Safety Award.

The company is pioneering the use in the drainage industry of behavioural safety training to positively embed health and safety in everyday working practices.

The first training was carried out at the company’s operating centre in Stafford in January 2012 – as part of a drive to instil a compliance culture in the operation of a major utility contract across the Midlands.

Wayne Earnshaw, Lanes Group managing director, said: “We strongly believe a safe business is good business both for us and our customers.”

The company, which employs 738 staff, saw a significant reduction in its workplace accident rate during 2011.

Earnshaw said: “The achievement reflects the significant investment Lanes for Drains puts in to setting the highest standards in health and safety and the commitment all our staff make in striving to make sure they are met.

Health and safety is one of 17 categories in the awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on July 10.