CBUL June Stand Down Series Focuses on Learning, Delivery and Team Standards

The sessions formed part of CBUL’s ongoing commitment to making time away from day-to-day operations to reset, share learning and reinforce the standards expected across every site, every job and every interaction.

Led by senior leadership and operational experts, the agenda covered key business updates, safe excavation, environmental controls, continuous learning, plant and transport, customer interactions, and quality standards. The sessions also gave teams the opportunity to discuss real-life scenarios and reflect on the decisions that help protect people, the public, customers and the environment.

A key focus of the Stand Down series was safe excavation and service protection, with teams revisiting HSG47, PAS 128 and CDM responsibilities. The session reinforced the importance of not relying on utility plans alone, completing appropriate surveys, verifying service locations through trial holes, and maintaining strict controls around mechanical excavation.

Environmental performance was another central theme, with discussions covering pollution prevention, spill response, protected species, environmental consents and the importance of escalating to the SHEQ Team before proceeding with activities that could carry environmental risk. The message was clear: client instruction does not replace SHEQ approval, and work must stop immediately if something does not look right.

The series also marked the launch of the second edition of CBUL’s Continuous Learning Booklet, which captures significant incidents, improvement actions and practical learning points. The session encouraged teams to challenge unsafe behaviours, speak up, and apply lessons consistently in the field.

As part of the practical learning programme, teams took part in a Pressure Points workshop based on realistic wastewater network scenarios. The workshop challenged teams to assess changing conditions, identify hazards, review controls and make decisions under operational pressure. Scenarios included rising main failures, suspected asbestos, surface water misconnection investigations, environmental risks and customer-facing challenges.

Guest speaker Bradley Wotton from MSA also joined the sessions to demonstrate CBUL’s newest ALTAIR io4 gas monitors. The demonstration gave operatives the opportunity to see the equipment in action, understand its key features and ask questions about how the monitors support safer working in and around confined spaces, manholes and excavations.

Plant and Transport updates were also shared, highlighting ongoing investment in equipment, fleet management and safe ways of working. Customer and quality sessions reinforced the importance of clear communication, professional conduct and taking ownership of the customer experience from first contact through to completion.

The June Stand Down series reflected CBUL’s continued focus on creating safer, better-controlled worksites while supporting consistent delivery across the business.

The Stand Down programme is about making time for the conversations that matter. By stopping, learning and refocusing together, everyone is better equipped to make better decisions, support each other and deliver work to the standard our customers and communities expect.