Introducing Maurice…

This month, we’re focussing on several ways to improve our existing Health and Safety literature throughout the company, as a way of demonstrating our commitment to this important topic. 

We believe by building a strong brand image around Health and Safety will help increase the level of engagement with all the workforce, encourage better communication within teams, and bring about further clarity in our key messaging. 

In order to reach these targets, we are looking at several areas where we can apply visuals and graphics, and generate a positive working ‘site culture’ where no question is deemed a stupid question. Trying to overcome this stigma is no easy task, but we’re going to make a start by reinforcing our values in an open and honest way with our site teams.

We have decided to emphasise an existing expression sometimes used in construction: “Know Safety, No Pain.” We’re applying this simple and direct messaging to all our health and safety branding, making it very clear that this is a high priority and important value at Moortown Group. 

 Across all Moortown sites, our workforce will be introduced to our new safety mascot, Maurice. This tongue-in-cheek character is to catch the attention of all our workers, and make information more memorable as they move around site, checking and following best practice procedures.

These graphics are gradually being rolled out in various ways:

• To the existing safety noticeboards / information boards
• Pedestrian / traffic management notices
• Best Practice / procedure guidance
• Site team talks / training / engagement

We’ve already received fantastic feedback from some of our clients, and we will continue to drive this initiative for the foreseeable future. Maurice is here to stay!

We’re thrilled to have won a significant contract with global construction company Vastint. Based in a central area of Leeds, South bank is home to the iconic Tetley Brewery building which has stood since 1822.  

The land which totals 8.1 hectares, was acquired by Vastint back in 2016. Since then, they’ve worked in close consultation with Leeds City Council’s Planning Department and other stakeholders, with plans to redevelop the site into a vibrant, well connected and sustainable mixed use neighbourhood. The aim of the scheme is to support the expansion of the city core, providing a vital link connecting the city centre with the Tetley and its creative neighbours, through to the education district and the communities to the south. 

Moortown started work on site very recently, working on the first phase of its 6.6 hectares which sits between Crown Point Road to the south, Waterloo Street to the north, Meadow Lane to the east with the Tetley building at its centre.  

The first phase of our works includes: 

•   Construction of adopted link roads and sewers 
•   Associated utilities infrastructure 
•   Substructures to several buildings 
•   RC pile caps, ground beams and floor slabs 
•   Extensive hard landscaping and park areas 

We’re looking forward to seeing how the project progresses and the transformation that this will through its expansion of the city core and providing a link connecting the city centre. 

As a company, we have recently launched an online induction portal to provide all employees with the necessary learning and support modules, and a step towards a more digital approach in achieving this.

Employees can log on online or scan a QR code seen on our site notice boards, where they can access this important information. This will be an annual requirement and will also enable CPD, management of company-wide training and provide efficiencies whilst ensuring legal compliance across both our office and site operations.

The induction must be completed by ALL who work for and on behalf of Moortown, including sub-contractors and agencies so they will be expected to complete the induction. Once an occupation and you are registered you will have to completed a “passport” which is essentially your induction.

For all site based occupations there are 4 modules to watch with questions after each one whilst office related occupations have 1 module which is then followed by a series of HSEQ Statements including Covid and medical questionnaires which require reading and then signing to confirm acceptance.

After all the passport elements have been completed you will have completed the Moortown induction and this will then enable training cards/certificates to be uploaded to form our new training matrix which will be available to all managers as “superusers” to access and search for operatives training and help in planning with resources.

There are also a range of CPD course which is e-learning and ROSPA approved and on completion you will be issued with a certificate. Ideally the induction should be done prior to arriving on site ( which will streamline morning operations ) and provide the new starters with information about Moortown and the standards that are expected on site with a consistent message delivered.

We have recently installed several new electric car charging points in our private office car park space for any of our staff to use. The BASICCHARGE:EV pedestal is an affordable and adaptable EV charging solution. As a conscious effort to move towards greener energy resources, we feel it is important to do our bit for the environment wherever possible and provide this resource at our office location.

Specification:

• Mode 3 (IEC 61851-1) fast charging

• Available in 1way & 2way versions

• 3.6kW (16A) & 7.2kW (32A) charging speeds

• Type 2 (IEC 62196) charging socket(s) c/w security hatchlock(s)

• Photocell controlled LED amenity lighting head

• Surface or root mountable

• Built-in AC overload and fault current protection

• Built-in DC sensitive protection

• Built-in LED charging status indicator socket halo(s)

• Easy to install & maintain

• IP rated

• UV stabilised

• Corrosion resistant