In 2013, PD Ports introduced Safety Champions across their sites with the aim of maintaining an excellent health and safety culture, and to keep their working environments as safe as possible at all times. This initiative involves teams from across the business working together to keep their respective areas safe, as well as sharing ideas and possibilities for improvement.
For them, involving their employees in health and safety is of the upmost importance, and it’s an integral part of continuous improvement across their business.
Interview with Safety Champion - Jacob Moat
I work as an estates surveyor apprentice within the estates team"
As part of Maritime Safety Week, PD Ports spoke to Safety Champion - Jacob Moat, wherein they asked him about his role within PD Ports and how long he has been a Safety Champion for the company.
Jacob Moat stated “I work as an estates surveyor apprentice within the estates team. In my role, I support the estates team in managing PD Ports tenanted portfolio of land and buildings. I also attend Northumbria University part time where I study Real Estate and have aspirations of becoming a RICS accredited Chartered Surveyor. I joined the Safety Champions almost 2 years ago now and it feels like time has flown by!”
- What is the role of a Safety Champion?
Jacob Moat said, “The Safety Champions group I am a part of is the Office Safety Champions, who are representatives for the office-based workers at PD Ports. Our goal is to not only ensure office-working environments at PD are safe, but that as a team we look at ways we can continuously improve office-working environments. We promote wellbeing within and outside of the workplace, and set up initiatives to encourage this.”
- What was the attraction to become a Safety Champion?
Jacob Moat answered, “I joined the Safety Champions originally as a way to network and build relationships with other employees. Since then I’ve been able to make contacts across the business as well as develop my knowledge and understanding of health and safety. Health and safety has become a passion of mine and I enjoy looking at different ways to improve the health, safety and wellbeing within the workplace for my colleagues.”
- Why are Safety Champions important within PD Ports?
Jacob Moat stated, “I think the groups are important within PD Ports because they give the employees on the ground a forum to voice any safety issues and promote wellbeing initiatives. Together, as Safety Champions, we can work together to ensure working environments are safe and promote a culture which puts health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront.”