Safety of our workers
Our business deploys and maintains an effective health and safety management system that ensures any person who works with us is to return home safely at the end of every day.
Building on this system, our organisation focuses significant efforts on our machinery and its functionality to enable any person working in, or around our processes can do so safely. Our management teams consistently discuss and review safety protocols along with behaviours, commonly known within our organisation as 'Visible Management Leadership' (VML).
Our 'Near Miss' initiative
Any individual that works within our organisation is empowered and encouraged to report any health and safety concerns they may have to the site management team immediately. These concerns will be fully investigated, with feedback given to the individual, with any potential remedial action to be taken.
Since the launch of our 'Near Miss' initiative in early 2014, our organisation has reported and actioned over 15,000 safety concerns raised by our colleagues. This initiative has also played a vital part in preventing tomorrow’s injuries and has been a key enabler towards our ultimate goal of 'Zero Harm'.
Our 'Visible Management Leadership' programme
The VML programme was launched in June 2015 and is centred on Leadership and Behaviours. Personnel working within our organisation see our management teams talking about Health and Safety on a daily basis and feel its importance.
Our 'Safe Driving' campaign
Our 'Safe Driving' campaign (in partnership with Ignition Risk) was implemented in October 2015 for any personnel driving on behalf of wienerberger. Within two weeks of driving a company vehicle, all drivers will be invited to undertake an online assessment.
Ceramics UK
wienerberger works alongside other manufacturers in partnership with the Ceramics UK and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the 'Health and Safety Pledge', a joint initiative to improve occupational safety throughout the ceramic industry.
The ‘Pledge Conference’ is held annually and awards Health and Safety initiatives within the industry. In 2023, wienerberger received a record number of 30 awards. 16 of the awards received were given to individuals within the business who have shown outstanding commitment to Health and Safety, and an additional Highly Commended Award was given for our approach to Safety Culture and Behavioural Safety.