23 February 2010

Safety First Means Zero Harm – M25 Workers Clock Up Over 2.5 Million Hours Without Accidents

One of England’s most prestigious road construction projects has clocked up over 2.5 million hours of work without any accidents. Workers on the contract currently widening two sections of the M25 between junctions 16 and 23 and junctions 27 and 30 as well as the refurbishment of the A1(M) Hatfield Tunnel on behalf of the Highways Agency, have achieved a significant health and safety landmark – no work-related accidents involving roadworkers since the project began in 2009.

Following the award of the Design, Build, Finance and Operate contract by the Highways Agency in May 2009, the first phase of work began on the widening the M25 near junction 16, the A1(M) Hatfield Tunnel refurbishment work started at the beginning of June and widening work on the first stretch near junctions 27 and 28 began in July. Since then, a total of 2,571,164 man hours have been worked without accident.

Connect Plus Chief Executive Tim Jones said:

“My thanks to all those involved in attaining this outstanding achievement. Road construction sites can be particularly dangerous places, with live traffic immediately adjacent to the work place. Our workforce has shown a great respect for safety and our Zero Harm policy whilst delivering this contract to tight deadlines, often in difficult conditions. Safety of our workforce is paramount and we are very proud of their efforts in ensuring we achieved this benchmark.

“This record of success is also attributable to the drivers who have driven through our road works and we are pleased that drivers have observed the speed limits – both for their own safety and the safety of our workforce.”

David Blackburn, Managing Director for the Skanska Balfour Beatty Construction Joint Venture, responsible for the construction works added:

“This achievement is down to the importance we place on our working practices and it shows that we place safety at the top of our construction agenda. My thanks to all those who work tirelessly to deliver this project and their vigilance in Health and Safety matters, which has helped us achieve this outstanding record. Zero Harm means Zero Accidents.”