Accident-free at Ayton

Ayton Products, May Gurney's specialist surface and bitumen product manufacturing division, is celebrating two years without a RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) accident.

This record has been achieved by keeping safety at the top of the agenda at every site location and in all processes. Regular toolbox talks are held and the management team has been proactive in ensuring that work is carried out in a safe and healthy manner.

Tony Hipperson, Ayton Products' General Manager, said: "I'm grateful for the way in which every member of Ayton Products has worked to achieve this record - all credit is due to them.

"Having Michelle Wones, our Specialist Surfacing Products Sales and Marketing Manager, as a MAD (Making A Difference) coach has helped reinforce the message across the business and secure 'buy-in' at all levels."

MAD is a long-term behavioural change programme developed in-house and delivered by internally trained coaches. As a result of MAD, during 2006 May Gurney virtually halved its AFR - from 0.43 at the outset to 0.24 at the close. In 2007 this improvement has continued and the AFR has fallen to below 0.2 for the first time in the company's history.

"Our employees are encouraged to make suggestions for improvement in their own working environment, and act as the eyes and ears for others," Tony Hipperson added. "Because of this, a large number of improvements have been made to processes to make them safer. The challenge now is to maintain this high standard in the future."