1 Million Man Hours Worked Without A Disabling Injury
 Member of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal, Aveng Grinaker-LTA recently achieved 1 million man hours worked without a disabling injury at the Aveng Grinaker-LTA Building - East plant and scaffold yard. What makes this an especially notable accomplishment is that it rarely happens in construction, and occurs even less frequently, in the plant yard environment.
The man hours referred to are the accumulative number of hours for all those who work there without disabling injury. The fact that, by plant yard standards, they have a relatively small staff compliment makes it even more commendable.
A Q&A session with Aveng Grinaker-LTA Building - East plant and scaffold yard manager, Raj Naidoo, revealed the following:
Was there a heightened sense of eagerness, as the millionth hour approached?
Yes definitely, it was a target we had set for ourselves and as the hour drew closer, a sense of enthusiasm and accomplishment was felt throughout our branch.
 When was the millionth hour achieved?
On the 10th of June 2011.
What sort of time-frame was needed?
It took us 14 years to get there!
Have you experienced disabling injuries since 10 June?
No, we are fully aware that we cannot rest on our laurels and that striving for safety excellence has to be an ongoing effort. Our new objective is to take it to 1.5 million.
What do you attribute this outstanding achievement to?
Our motto is “Home without Harm Everyone Every Day”. Safety compliance and awareness is deeply entrenched in our corporate culture, we have buy-in from everybody within the organisation, from the top down. Teamwork, commitment and training are among the essentials. Training in fire fighting, power tool measures, rigging and all other aspects of construction safety is ongoing.
How many people work at the plant yard?
At present we have 55 in the yard who are responsible for a range of duties which include mechanical, general workers, welders, drivers, forklift operators and crane operators.
 Has Aveng Grinaker-LTA Building - East plant and scaffold yard won any industry safety awards during this time?
We have achieved 12 first place finishes in the regional safety competition, as well as 6 national first place recognitions. At the 2010 Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal annual Health and Safety awards dinner, we were announced overall winners for the tenth year running.
I believe you were recently honoured by your peers for your contribution to Health and Safety?
Yes, I received the award of merit at the 2010 Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Excellence in Construction awards.
Is there a business case for health and safety?
There is definitely a business case for health and safety; it’s less about the yard benefiting and more about the organisation benefiting. Having received the many safety accolades that we have, has resulted in a tremendous amount of positive publicity for the company.
Are there incentives in place to keep staff motivated?
We have our own internal safety awards system that serves to motivate. We have a prize for driver of the month, mechanic of the month, operator of the month, employee of the month, welder of the month and safety rep of the month. It encourages healthy competition and everybody enjoys the occasion. Prizes are handed to monthly winners by director Richard Moore. At our year-end function a voucher is also presented to those with the most wins in their respective categories.
 Are there consequences for members of staff who do not buy into your safety policy?
We enter into a serious disciplinary meeting where it is made known to them that repeat offending could result in dismissal.
Has anybody in your organisation been dismissed for disregard to Health and Safety?
No, they mostly realise that policy is there to keep them safe and appreciate the effort that everybody puts in.
What OHS message do you have for other plant yards out there?
Set high standards, be consistent and always lead by example. Safety is something that has to constantly be promoted and it has to be prioritised above all else.
Image Top:
Right: Aveng Grinaker-LTA Building - East plant and scaffold yard Manager, Raj Naidoo,
Left: Aveng Grinaker-LTA Building - East Managing Director, Rob Bremner
Ernest Roper | Regional Manager Durban |
