Cappagh Browne Celebrates Five Major Accolades at the SHE Awards

Competing alongside some of the UK’s largest and most established businesses, Cappagh Browne achieved two category wins, two Highly Commended awards and one Commended award:

• Winner: Best Driver Risk Management Performance
• Winner: Campaign of the Year – 12 in 12
• Highly Commended: Health and Safety Manager of the Year – April Batchelor
• Highly Commended: Inclusivity Award
• Commended: Best Use of Health and Safety Data to Lower Incident Rate

The results recognise the collective work taking place across Cappagh Browne, from the teams delivering work on site to the managers, supervisors and support functions helping to strengthen standards throughout the business.

Turning Data into Practical Action

The award-winning 12 in 12 campaign was developed using information gathered from hazard reports, incidents and site inspections.

The 12 most significant recurring risks were turned into clear monthly topics, supported by toolbox talks, posters, visual materials and practical actions. This made important information easier to understand and apply across Cappagh Browne’s operational teams.

“The 12 in 12 campaign was successful because it is based on data received within the business,” explained SHEQ Lead April Batchelor. “We looked at our top reported hazards, incidents and inspection findings, then broke our 12 biggest risks down into simple safety messages.”

Hazard reporting has also moved to a digital system that allows operatives to record issues directly from site. The information feeds into live dashboards, giving the SHEQ team, managers and supervisors greater visibility of the risks emerging across their areas and supporting faster, better-informed action.

Driver performance data and engagement through Samsara have also supported significant improvements across Cappagh Browne’s fleet, contributing to the Best Driver Risk Management Performance award.

Building Stronger Foundations During AMP8

The awards follow a sustained programme of investment and improvement during AMP8.

Cappagh Browne has achieved Achilles certification alongside ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety and ISO 14001 for environmental management. The business has also invested in a strengthened SHEQ team, bringing together colleagues with specialist knowledge across safety, health, environment and quality.

The Safety Starts With You campaign and Stop Work Authority cards have helped reinforce that everyone has the right and responsibility to speak up when something does not feel safe.

A new Minimum Standards handbook has also been introduced, providing operatives with a clear and consistent reference for working safely across Cappagh Browne sites. Continuous learning materials capture lessons from incidents and share practical improvements with colleagues, clients and industry partners.

Supporting a More Inclusive Workplace

The Highly Commended recognition for inclusivity reflects work to ensure that colleagues have access to equipment that is appropriate for them.

This has included reviewing the company’s PPE provision with its supplier to make properly fitting equipment available for both women and men. The change addresses a longstanding issue within the construction industry, where women have often had to use PPE designed primarily for male body shapes.

For April, being Highly Commended for Health and Safety Manager of the Year also represents an important personal milestone following five years with Cappagh Browne and her first year as SHEQ Lead.

Recognition Shared Across the Business

While the SHEQ and Plant & Transport teams led several of the award-winning initiatives, their success has depended on participation across Cappagh Browne.

Operations Director James Hatt said the results reflected the contribution of the wider business and the importance of listening to the people delivering work every day.

“A positive safety culture starts with visible leadership,” said James. “We need to set clear expectations and listen to feedback to make sure we continuously improve. Our teams are the people helping us identify risks and opportunities.”

This feedback, combined with better reporting, stronger communication and clear operational standards, is helping Cappagh Browne protect its people, customers and the communities it serves.

Maintaining the Momentum

The next stage of Cappagh Browne’s SHEQ strategy will build on these foundations through further innovation, training and engagement.

Planned improvements include a new training matrix that will help identify competencies and create targeted training plans, alongside a revised induction programme combining online learning with face-to-face sessions.

The awards provide important recognition of the progress already made, but continuous improvement remains the focus.

As James concluded: “Success for us now means continuing to build on the strong foundations we’ve put in place to ensure we get everyone home safe and well.”