All about caring and sharing
December 1st 2009 Last year Sodexo launched a fresh approach to safety in the workplace. Its 'I Care.Do
You?' initiative helps employees to keep themselves, and each other, safe. So what
was the thinking behind the concept, and has it worked?
Safety at work has been a statutory obligation on UK employers
since key legislation was introduced in 1974, and it has been
reinforced many times subsequently by various laws at a
European level. Quite simply, safety at work is paramount. With this in
mind, last April saw Sodexo team up with Catalyst Healthcare to
launch a new safety programme for every one of its employees
within its healthcare division called 'I Care.Do You?' (ICDY).
The thinking behind the programme's name was logical."When we
began developing the programme," explains David Whittall, Sodexo's
head of safety,"our biggest challenge was to give our employees a
simple core message on safety, one
which they could relate to and
take personal ownership of."
Two years of refining the key
messages of the programme saw
close co-operation between
Sodexo and Catalyst Healthcare.
ICDY puts the onus on
individuals to take personal
responsibility for safety
standards.Whittall says the
emphasis reflects senior
managers' commitment to
ensure safety for Sodexo and
Catalyst employees.
Despite its simple moniker,
ICDY involves thorough training.
Sodexo staff are put through
their paces, instructed to place
safety first among their
workplace concerns and not just
for themselves, but also for their
colleagues.
The new approach is one,
"entirely suited to the twentyfirst
century workplace,"
according to Simon Scrivens,
managing director of Sodexo Healthcare.
"Sodexo's commitment is to provide support if an employee stops
a task for a safety reason," states Scrivens." We will address any safety
concern promptly, it will be fully investigated and there is no blame
culture."
Action stations
The programme begins with an instructive hour-long presentation,
with employees being presented with examples of everyday risks.
Then it is the employees' turn. Everyone present has to identify just
one action they will take the following day to improve safety, either in
the workplace or at home.
Efficient delivery of ICDY training is a key priority for Sodexo. Four
of its healthcare sites have implemented the course for all their staff
and the feedback has been very positive.To date, over 750 members
of Sodexo's staff have been trained and the remaining 7,200
members of its healthcare division will be trained by August 2010.
This includes all the Nuffield Hospitals which are managed by Sodexo
plus the staff at Tillery Valley Foods, their prepared food production
facility.
Helping hospitals
As with any training, the acid test is its effectiveness. One of the first
sites to pilot the programme was Queen Mary's Hospital in
Roehampton, which has been rolling out the training since February
2009 (it will complete two review cycles in January 2010).
Sodexo believes that the figures speak for themselves: Between
February and July 2009, reportable accidents fell from a total of nine
to three. Sodexo's target is to cut the number of accidents annually
by 25% which so far appears to be achievable.
"'I Care.Do You?' is a fantastic cultural and awareness initiative,"
says Nick Galloway, general manager,Queen Mary's Hospital,
Roehampton."Unlike the usual health and safety programmes where
you are simply expected to sit back and listen, you really are given
the opportunity to get involved and take ownership for your own
and your team's safety.
"And it's great that what we learn is also something we can take
home with us to our families and friends. I have learnt a lot from the
initiative and am looking forward to passing my new knowledge
onto others."
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