Kicking Off 2025: A Strong Start with the Annual Safety Standdown

The new year began with a pivotal event for our team – the Annual Safety Standdown – held at the iconic Bolton Football Club venue. This trusted venue has successfully hosted the event for many years, bringing together our operational colleagues, subcontractors, and office-based colleagues.

The Safety Standdown is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to align our teams with the company’s vision, provide critical updates, and reinforce our unwavering commitment to health and safety.

Business Update: Challenges and Optimism

The business update set the tone with an honest acknowledgment of the challenges faced in 2024. From navigating high inflation and subdued new awards due to market uncertainties to managing the impact of elevated asset values, the past year tested our resilience.

However, the message was clear: optimism is on the horizon.

• We are witnessing early signs of market stability.
• There’s an increase in enquiries and new awards.

As a business, we remain committed to long-term strategies, emphasising strong customer relationships, profitability, and resource management.

Health & Safety: Progress and Dedication

The health and safety update highlighted remarkable progress, reflecting our team’s dedication to improvement:

Health and safety statistics showed significant improvements thanks to swift and effective actions based on investigation reports and trends.

Audit performance for both direct teams and subcontractors improved, with over 90% success rates in recent audits.

A reminder was shared regarding gas connection processes, addressing non-conformances identified in previous months.

These results underscore the importance of staying vigilant, learning from feedback, and continuously raising the bar for safety standards.

A Powerful Message from Titanium Talks

One of the most impactful moments of the event came from an external speaker, Justin from Titanium Talks . He delivered a heartfelt presentation recounting his personal experience with a serious workplace incident on the water network.

Justin’s story served as a powerful reminder of the profound consequences of complacency in our industry. Through his behavioural training, he emphasised that safety is a shared responsibility, urging everyone to remain proactive and committed to keeping themselves and their colleagues safe.

Looking Ahead

For those unable to attend due to the Christmas break, follow-up presentations are planned in the coming weeks.

As we step into 2025, events like the Safety Standdown remind us of the importance of reflection, growth, and unity. With challenges behind us and opportunities ahead, we are prepared to navigate the road ahead with resilience and confidence.

Here’s to a safe and successful year!

Lisa Kerford, Managing Director, Aptus Utilities