Mobile Mini, a leading hirer of portable site accommodation and secure storage containers, with its global operations based in Arizona, USA and UK headquarters at Stockton-on-Tees, has achieved a zero Reportable Accident Frequency Rate (RAFR) for a rolling 12 months.
From July 2016 to June 2017, the Company which has 16 operational branches nationwide from Glasgow to Southampton, has traded without a single reportable accident.
Achieving a zero RAFR has been the ultimate safety goal for Mobile Mini and is a particularly outstanding achievement given the nature of Mobile Mini’s core activities, which includes carrying out more than 1500 crane operations every week.
“Achieving zero reportable accidents is a true demonstration of how we live by our “safety first” core value and long may it continue,” said Mobile Mini Safety Health Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Director, Chris Watcham.
“The safety of our employees and those who we interact with is our number one priority. Although it’s a bit of a safety cliché, we really do expect everyone to go home the same way they came in”.
The Company, which employs over 400 employees across 17 locations, has been aspiring to reach a target of zero reportable accidents for many years, applying various measures to continue to drive the rate down year on year and is delighted to achieve the impressive safety feat this year.
Most notably, Chris heads up a dedicated SHEQ team delivering superb safety leadership and developing a strong safety culture across the business. The team brings together a wealth of experience and knowledge in different competencies such as business excellence and quality, product & technical expertise and innovation, health & safety and more recently transport excellence.
Appointing a National Transport Manager at the end of 2016 also signalled the company’s commitment to transport safety. Boasting one of the largest fleets of its kind in the UK, with 50 lorry mounted loader crane vehicles, the transport focus has naturally leaned towards this area of the business. To improve the company’s standards Mobile Mini has developed bespoke driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) modules so internal training can be delivered. This will make the training more relevant and enjoyable.
In addition to this the company is currently in the process of gaining Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold nationwide, an achievement which holds high value to the company’s external stakeholders as it demonstrates the highest standards achievable within transport excellence. Mobile Mini’s London operations has held the Gold accreditation for four years now, an achievement which it is extremely proud of.
Mobile Mini also continuously invests in training for its safety influencers, with everyone, from the Board of Directors to yard operations, having had a level of training to improve competence, confidence and engagement. Training courses range from Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely, to bespoke Mobile Mini training courses such as Supervising Safely.
Chris continued: “Training for those whose role means they have an influence over others has been key. Giving people the confidence to engage in safety discussions and promote good practices has been fundamental in improving the culture. Previously the nature of safety was very prescriptive which meant that safety was often seen as something which wasn’t personal or owned by an individual. This is an ongoing journey and although not quite there yet, the signs and progress made so far have been promising”
“We also ensure we work closely with industry associations such as the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers (ALLMI) and FORS to develop and share best practices”.
