Sharing experiences and knowledge to improve health, safety and wellbeing
Skanska hosted its 84th Zero Accident Forum (ZAF) on 24 October 2024 at Milton Keynes Stadium. The annual event brings together colleagues, customers, supply chain and joint-venture partners from across the infrastructure sector.
Over 100 delegates attended this year’s forum where they had the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge to improve health, safety and wellbeing across the sector.
Workshops, talks and demonstrations took place throughout the day culminating in an awards ceremony that celebrated success.
Andrew English, Infrastructure Managing Director for Skanska said: “We’re very grateful to all our speakers, demonstrators and delegates for contributing to this important day and in helping us to continually improve health, safety and wellbeing as an industry.”
“It was an emotive and informative day and a particular thank you goes to two of our speakers who shared their powerful and emotional personal stories showing how the impact of time pressures, shortcuts and not prioritising safety can lead to losing a loved one.”
Our other talks and workshops covered topics around the benefits of having well-planned organised projects and how they create safer healthier environments. The inclusion and diversity workshop gave everyone the opportunity to discuss the impact of micro aggressions on individuals.
Andrew continued: “The overarching message of the day - How we think, feel and act affects everything we do and if we’re not in the right headspace things can go wrong.
“We all need to raise our game and I‘m sure everyone in the audience will take away their own piece of learning and apply it in their lives. I certainly will.”
Commenting on the day, delegate, Stephanie Buckland, Major Projects Manager for Tarmac said: “I’ve attended a couple of these forums now and they’ve been so valuable. Bringing the industry together, particularly the supply chain, in one place and having the opportunity to delve into the many important topics covering health, safety and wellbeing really helps to keep this at the forefront of people’s minds. My real hope is that each of us will go away and make changes in the workplace and in our lives to ensure they are safer and healthier.”
The ZAF forums will continue in 2025. If you want to hear more about how to join or be involved please contact Sam Pullinger.