Tag: awards

Safety is at the heart of everything we do across our Major Projects at Sellafield. It drives our decisions, actions and culture. The inaugural Knowingly Safe 24/7 Awards shone a light on those who truly embody championing safety across our projects and supply chain.

Programme and Project Partners (PPP) head of EHSSQ and assurance, James Lewis, said: “Every step we take towards our goal of Knowingly Safe is made possible by operatives and teams who are visible, but equally those who quietly lead by example.

“These awards are a way of shining a light on their individual and team contributions – which are the backbone of our safety culture.

“Safety is a team effort across major projects and no contribution should go unseen.

“We received so many nominations, showcasing the incredible efforts being made to keep everyone safe every day.

“The standard was exceptionally high, which made for some tough decisions, and this is a true reflection of the collaboration and commitment to safety across Major Projects.

“This year’s winners have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and care – going above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of those around them.

“A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who took the time to submit nominations and congratulations to all our shortlisted nominees and our winners – you all help us on our journey to Knowingly Safe.”

Boots On Switch On PPI Award

The Boots On, Switch On, People Plant Interface award recognised a team or organisation that really stepped up during our recent PPI campaign – showing leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to improving safety around people and plant interactions.

We asked our projects and supply chains to lead and support us, and the response was fantastic.

Our winner was the Severfield PPI Improvements Team who embraced the PPI campaign from the start – reviewing work methods, identifying improvements, and even helping shape practical demonstrations for the wider site. Their enthusiasm and ideas helped bring the campaign to life.

Our two shortlisted finalists also deserve recognition for their outstanding efforts:

The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) Permit Improvements Team – This team introduced the Site Assist digital permit system, transforming how PPI is managed on-site. It’s improved communication, streamlined processes, and strengthened compliance across multiple contractors. A great example of innovation driving safer, more efficient working.

The SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) Aligned Delivery Team & Careys PPI Team – The SCP team, in partnership with Careys, delivered a powerful and practical safety stand down. From live demonstrations to bold visual aids and empowering plant operators, they created an experience that left a lasting impression and sparked real conversations about safer ways of working.

 

Knowingly Safe Champion

Our Knowingly Safe Champion Award is all about recognising individuals who go the extra mile to make sure their work is carried out in a Knowingly Safe way.

We had a lot of fantastic nominations for this category, which made narrowing it down no easy task. We short-listed five stand-out individuals – and from that group, we’re proud to say we selected not just one – but two winners!

Our winners were Steve Mitchell from March and Ian Reid from Altrad.

Steve Mitchell has set the gold standard for proactive safety engagement. With over 80 safety observations submitted this year, Steve consistently identifies and addresses potential hazards before they escalate.

He ensures compliance with Sellafield Ltd and Project Delivery Directorate (PDD) safety standards and never hesitates to reach out to the safety team when clarity is needed. Steve’s dedication is a shining example of what it means to lead by example.

Ian Reid joined the SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) project just eight weeks ago, but his impact has been immediate and profound. Drawing on years of experience across the Sellafield site, Ian has brought leadership, pride, and high standards to his team.

He’s known for his strong presence during POWRA and housekeeping discussions, and his exceptional three-way communication skills have earned praise from supervisors and scaffold engineers alike.

Special recognition also goes to our three shortlisted nominees who made this a tough category to call:

Pete Turner from Careys – Pete is a model of conscientious work and communication. He regularly exercises his stop work authority to ensure clarity and safety, and he’s always aware of how his tasks affect others. Pete’s attention to housekeeping and his commitment to leaving work areas clean and safe set him apart. His enthusiasm and strong communication make him a valued member of the team.

Steve Murdock from Cumbria Nuclear Solutions Ltd – As the project waste coordinator for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary Operations Unit (CNC OU) project, Steve plays a critical role in environmental protection and compliance. His meticulous management of waste segregation, skip logistics, and COSHH inventories has earned praise from Sellafield Ltd Intelligent
Client teams. Steve’s dedication extends beyond his role – he personally took on
improvements to quarantine arrangements following an incident, demonstrating his commitment to continuous improvement and safety excellence.

Darren Miles from Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick – Darren’s journey from operative to compound supervisor is a testament to his professionalism and drive. He has transformed the project’s waste management practices, eliminating non-compliances and introducing innovative solutions like a paint tin crusher and PPE
recycling. Darren’s initiative to donate reusable timber to local schools has created a lasting social impact. His work not only improves safety and sustainability but also strengthens community ties.

Knowingly Safe Supervisor Award

For the Knowingly Safe Supervisor Award, we looked for a supervisor who puts safety at the heart of everything they do. Whether it’s setting the tone for the day, leading by example, or supporting their team, these individuals make safety a priority every step of the way.

Our winner was Robert Mellon from Design Grid. Since stepping into a supervisor role over eight months ago, Robert has earned the full respect of his team and peers. He puts health and safety first in everything he does and was recently recognised with the Lindner Interiors’ Supervisor of the Year award for his commitment and leadership.

We had two more deserving finalists who deserve plaudits for their nominations:

Nigel Blacklock from Sir Robert McAlpine – Nigel is a long-standing and highly respected supervisor at SRM. Known for his calm leadership and deep site knowledge, he mentors others, leads by example, and brings a steady hand to every challenge. His return to work after a heart attack has only deepened the admiration and respect he commands across the site.

Ryan Martin from Severfield – Ryan is known for his openness, honesty, and high standards. He’s a strong advocate for the Knowingly Safe culture and has played a key role in improving Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) safety standards, even contributing to training content and video resources used across PDD.

Knowingly Safe Team Award

The Knowingly Safe Team Award recognises a group of individuals who consistently demonstrate safe behaviours and a strong safety culture in how they work together and deliver their tasks. Our winner’s dedication to building a strong, people-first safety culture is truly inspiring, and set them apart from the other very deserving finalists.

Our winner was the Sir Robert McAlpine Site Establishment Team from our Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store Two (BEPPS2). This team has set the tone for safety from day one. They lead by example – using Stop Work Authority confidently, maintaining tidy work areas, and creating a supportive, people-focused safety culture. Their approach is proactive, inclusive, and built on mutual respect.

Our congratulations also go to our shortlisted finalists:

SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) Construction Team including Altrad, Mammoet and their supply chain – The SCP team showed what great planning and teamwork look like during the delivery of the Bulk Storage Tank. From daily readiness reviews to post-job learning, they demonstrated strong communication, collaboration, and a clear commitment to doing the job safely – even when it meant pausing to rest and reset.

Dale Barcock, Barry Boyd & Martin Kellett – This trio has played a key role in raising safety standards around trench support and temporary works. Their leadership has not only improved safety but also boosted efficiency across the project – proving that safety and productivity go hand in hand.

Knowingly Safe Rising Star Award

The Knowingly Safe Rising Star Award recognises someone early in their career who’s made an immediate and meaningful impact. These are the individuals who bring energy, fresh ideas, and a real passion for safety – people who don’t just follow the rules, but actively shape the culture around them.

Congratulations to our winner, Lauren Johnston, from Amentum, who works on our Civil Nuclear Constabulary Operations Unit (CNC OU) project. Lauren joined the CNC project just over a year ago and has quickly become a key figure in driving health and safety across the consortium. From rolling out new site-wide procedures to leading fire safety planning and training, Lauren has shown leadership well beyond her years.

Her work has helped raise compliance standards across the board – and her commitment has been recognised with a RoSPA Gold Award for the project. She’s seen as a go-to person by everyone on site.

There are a lot of talented rising stars across major projects and recognition is definitely deserved by our two shortlisted finalists:

George Tyson from Sir Robert McAlpine – Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store Two (BEPPS2) – George is a working supervisor and safety rep at SRM who leads from the front. He’s approachable, proactive, and always ready to raise concerns or share ideas to improve safety. Whether it’s through toolbox talks or informal chats, George promotes a culture of openness and responsibility. His influence on the ground is clear – and his passion for safety is contagious.

Stacie Davies from Altrad – Since joining the SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP), Stacie has taken the lead on mental health in a way we’ve never seen before on PPP. She organised an off-site event with three specialist speakers, tailored to different learning styles and focused especially on site operatives – who often miss out on this kind of engagement. It’s a fresh, inclusive approach that’s already making a difference, and it’s just one of several initiatives Stacie is driving forward.

Knowingly Safe Innovation Award

Innovation and learning is a key part of building a safer future – and that’s exactly what our Knowingly Safe Innovation Award is about. It recognises an individual, team, or organisation that has gone above and beyond to bring new thinking, smarter solutions, and meaningful improvements to safety – whether that’s through technology, process changes, or lessons learned that benefit the wider industry.

We received some truly impressive nominations for this category, and it’s clear that innovation is happening all the time across our projects.

Our winners of the Innovation Award were the i3 Coatings Team on our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP). The i3 team has taken a proactive, data-driven approach to health and safety on the SRP project. They’ve introduced real-time monitoring for vibration and dust exposure, using wearable tech and integrated analytics platforms – giving supervisors live alerts and enabling immediate action. They’ve also trialled slip-resistance testing and upgraded respiratory protection, all with the goal of protecting workers and improving long-term health outcomes. It’s a brilliant example of how technology and evidence-based thinking can drive real change.

Innovation doesn’t just mean new gadgets – it means thinking differently, challenging the norm both on Sellafield and within the industry, and finding better ways to keep people safe, so congratulations to all our shortlisted finalists:

The Sunbelt Powered Access Team – Sunbelt has made a major impact on safety at height – investing in new technologies like the EQSS Over Watch system for scissor lifts and supporting its roll-out across over 100 MEWPs on Sellafield projects. They’ve also led the way in digital planning tools, using building information modelling (BIM) and augmented reality to help teams choose the right equipment and reduce risk before work even begins. Their commitment to innovation and collaboration is helping raise the bar across the industry.

The Architectural Fit Out Team on Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) – Faced with the challenges of traditional decontamination paint methods, this team took a step back and re-imagined the process. They explored alternative materials, collaborated with suppliers, and developed a brand-new panel system specifically designed for Sellafield. The result? A safer, faster, and more efficient solution that reduces dust, noise, and hand, arm, vibration syndrome risks – and has the potential to be adopted across the wider nuclear sector. It’s a fantastic example of innovation driven by both safety and practicality.

Courage to Care 24/7 Award

This award is something truly special – the Courage to Care 24/7 Award. This award recognises someone who lives our Knowingly Safe values not just at work, but out in the wider community.

It’s for those who go above and beyond to make a difference in people’s lives – showing care, compassion, and leadership when no one’s watching and there’s no spotlight.

The award went to Danielle Bailey from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, who works on our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) – Danielle has made a huge difference through her work on mental health – both inside and outside of work. As co-chair of the SRP Mental Health First Aiders Forum, she’s led initiatives like Wellbeing Wednesdays, which include on-site support and off-site group walks to encourage open conversations. Her leadership has helped create a culture of care and connection across the team.

The actions of all our nominees remind us that safety and wellbeing don’t stop at the site gate – they’re part of who we are, every day. Special recognition goes to the shortlisted finalists:

Tom Maguire from KBR – Tom has dedicated over 500 hours of voluntary service as a Special Constable with Cumbria Police – on top of his full-time role in PPP/KBR. He works weekends, takes on the same risks as regular officers, and is even training for blue light response. Tom’s commit-ment to public safety is a powerful example of courage and care in action.

Sebastian Zurek from Careys – Sebastian is a true community champion. From charity walks and local projects to helping elderly neighbours and restoring a memorial bench – he’s always looking for ways to give back. He brings the same care and professionalism to his day job, making his impact even more inspiring.

Knowingly Safe Leader Award

The Knowingly Safe Leader Award recognises one of our many outstanding leaders who consistently champions the Knowingly Safe culture. This award is about more than just job titles. It’s about the individuals who lead by example, who empower others to speak up, and who create an environment where safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a shared value, embedded in everything we do.

Across the programme, we’re fortunate to have many brilliant leaders who fit that description but our winner truly embodies what it means to be a leader on a major project.

Congratulations goes to John Leslie, from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and project director of our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP). John’s leadership is consistent, visible, and grounded in genuine engagement with his team.

He always makes time – whether it’s to support a colleague, reinforce safety expectations, or simply listen. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the safety culture at SRP.

Under his leadership, the team has created an environment where people feel confident to report concerns, near misses, and incidents without hesitation.

In fact, earlier this year, there was a noticeable shift in reporting behaviours – driven by his encouragement and example – which has had a lasting positive impact on the project’s safety performance.

Knowingly Safe Supply Chain Award

The Knowingly Safe Supply Chain Award recognises our many brilliant supply chain partners, who all contribute to making our projects and our site Knowingly Safe.

The award went to a partner who really excels in their commitment to being Knowingly Safe and consistently contributes to the wider programme through sharing learning, bringing new innovations and just demonstrating excellence in everything they do.

After much deliberation, the winner was NG Bailey, who continues to raise the bar when it comes to safety performance and innovation.

They’ve brought fresh ideas and technologies into the Safety Hub, consistently delivering high standards in Safety Energy and compliance. Their leadership team is highly visible and engaged, and their focus on SQEP has helped drive a culture of competence and accountability.

Operatives and supervisors from NG Bailey are regularly recognised for their positive contributions to project safety and for supporting wider programme initiatives. They are a strong, consistent presence in the Safety Hub and a valued partner.

This award proved tough to narrow down to just three nominees, given the excellent partners we have within our supply chain, but praise also goes to our shortlisted finalists:

Keltbray – Keltbray has shown a clear commitment to improving safety culture and workforce engagement across the programme. What really sets them apart is their proactive involvement in the Safety Hub – despite not being required to participate, they’ve actively sought out opportunities to contribute and be part of the solution.
They’ve also been pioneers in People Plant Interface (PPI) safety, leading the way with proximity warning systems and playing a key role in shaping the early development of the PPI standard. Their forward-thinking approach and willingness to collaborate have made a real impact and paved the way for the standard to take shape.

Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick – Firstly, BBK have been a truly proactive and committed member of the Safety Hub since its formation, supporting a range of initiatives and always bringing a collaborative mindset. One stand-out contribution has been their work on fatigue management, including a trial with a leading third-party provider to explore new ways of managing this critical risk which has typically been difficult to control across the industry. In addition, their leadership has shown strong commitment to safety, and their workforce continues to deliver high standards across the programme. BBK’s willingness to engage, share learning, and support innovation makes them a key player in our collective journey towards Knowingly Safe.

Delivery Director, Steve Harnwell, who attended the event, said: “What’s important is that we do recognise good safety behaviours and where people, most of the time, will do everything right and keep people safe.

“Sometimes we get too focused on the negative side of safety where somebody is hurt, or something hasn’t gone to plan.

“It’s really important to look and learn, but what we shouldn’t lose sight of is when people are doing it well, and we should thank people for it because that’s how we get a better culture, a better attitude and ultimately a better form of safety.”