PPP Archives - Page 2 of 7

SCP safety stand down with Sunbelt Rentals

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

*(L-R) Mike Harrison (Major Projects Powered Access for Sunbelt), Ryan Capitano (Sales Director for Sunbelt), Bradley Goulding (organiser) BBK Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor.*

Our SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) team recently attended a safety stand down with Sunbelt Rentals in Whitehaven, alongside our supply chain partner, Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick.

The event was set up as a response to operative feedback about challenges using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and the enhanced safety mechanisms being used on our construction sites. With a number of new operatives recently joining the project, it was also a timely opportunity for familiarisation and hands on learning.

Mike Harrison, Sunbelt major projects powered access lead, and Ryan Capitano, Sunbelt head of sales, delivered an excellent demonstration of the improved equipment safety systems (EQSS) on the MEWPs. The session gave our operatives the chance to gain first-hand experience with the enhanced technologies, and to engage directly with the manufacturer to ask questions and share feedback.

Molly Young, SCP ADT Health and Safety Advisor, said:

“It was great to hear our operatives sharing their own experiences of how this innovation could support them at the workface. It’s fantastic to see our suppliers working collaboratively with us to ensure we have the best possible equipment on site.”

Bradley Goulding, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisor on SCP, added:

“The event went really well. The operatives were engaged and asked a lot of good questions. They also made some good challenges to the manufacturer, highlighting the issues they are facing and what could be changed to improve the system.

“Ryan Capitano demonstrated the EQSS system against another system and also the upgrade to the EQSS system, which was all about making it more user-friendly, one of the main concerns raised by our team. A lot of those concerns were addressed, and the operatives got the opportunity to test the upgraded system at the workshop, where the improvements received a resounding thumbs up. The difference was described as ‘night and day.’”

The Safety Stand Down served several key purposes:

It provided vital familiarisation for new operatives unfamiliar with the EQSS system.
It created a platform for direct dialogue between our team and the manufacturer and supplier, helping to resolve ongoing issues.
It reinforced our commitment to listening to our operative’s concerns and actively seeking practical, market-ready solutions.
It allowed us to gather feedback on the system upgrades directly from those using the equipment day to day.

SRP stand down reinforces importance of PPI

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

*Andrew Lawson (centre) discussing the Spillard PPI system to the machine driver.*

In an industry where people and machinery operate side-by-side every day, reinforcing the importance of the People Plant Interface (PPI) Life Saving Principle is essential to keep us Knowingly Safe.

Recently, our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) project team paused operations for a Safety Stand Down, focusing on PPI, bringing together teams from across our supply chain to focus on staying safe around plant and equipment.

Companies across the project set up practical PPI stations, with live demonstrations of operations, showcasing systems, technologies, and behaviours used to manage and mitigate PPI risks, in line with our PPI campaign.

From spotter communication methods to proximity sensor demonstrations, each session offered hands-on, real-world insights into preventing harm where it matters most.

Andrew Lawson was demonstrating the Spillard PPI system which helps reduce plant-related risks by alerting both vehicle operators and personnel when they are in proximity to moving equipment.

He said: “The most important thing to me about PPI as a plant operator is people sticking to footpaths and not encroaching on work areas. People can sometimes come into areas that they don’t need to be in. Stick to the footpaths and you won’t come into contact with the plant.”

Contractor-led PPI stand down

Mark Atkinson, SRP health & safety manager, said: “To enhance site safety and operational understanding, the SRP People Plant Interface (PPI) Safety Stand Down was organised with a strong emphasis on being contractor-led, ensuring that the valuable expertise and real-world experience of our plant operators and contractors were at the forefront.

“The day focused on engaging directly with those who work daily with plant machinery, using their insights to identify key interface risks, share best practices, and develop practical solutions for improving safety around plant operations.

“Refresher training, demonstrations, and open-floor discussions allowed contractors to lead the conversation, demonstrating best practice whilst giving voice to those most affected by PPI challenges.

“Recognising the size and influence of our management team, we also arranged for a plant simulator to be positioned on site for two days. This provided non-operational staff with a hands-on opportunity to experience the challenges of operating heavy machinery within the constraints of a tight, live construction site.

“The simulator exercise significantly improved empathy and understanding of the spatial awareness, concentration, and skill required to operate plant safely in dynamic environments. This is understanding is key for safely planning future works.

“The Stand Down promoted collaboration, strengthened relationships between management and site teams, whilst reinforcing our commitment to safety through mutual respect and shared learning.

“I would personally like to thank everyone involved with the Stand Down.”

Close proximity working

Greg Doran, SRP SHE lead, added: “Following the Stand Down, the SRP leadership team took the opportunity to mandate close proximity working by exception only, for example, for specific and very necessary reasons and this will be implemented from 9 June.

“The reason for the mandate is to discourage people from defaulting to close proximity working initially; instead, we believe people and plant should be separated wherever possible.

“However, we also recognise that there will be exceptions where people and plant need to interface due to the nature of the task.”

Steve Harnwell, delivery director, said: “On busy construction sites, like SRP, where we are doing 5.2 million hours of high hazard construction work, one of the biggest risks to people is moving machinery, whether you are using it or are a pedestrian on the site.

“It’s important to follow our Life Saving Principle for PPI. We have segregated walkways to protect people from moving vehicles but, equally, if you are involved in the work, it’s important to follow the rules around the safety measures that we put in place.”

Piling works completed on BEPPS2 ahead of schedule

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

*Some of the BEPPS2 team watch the piling rig being demobilised.*

Our Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store Two (BEPPS2) continues to deliver at pace as they complete piling works almost two weeks ahead of schedule.

Seventeen piles were placed evenly in the ground after careful coordination between the engineering and construction teams.

Completion of the works means the team can proceed with excavating the ground to a suitable depth to commence construction of the building service tunnel, which will link BEP to BEPPS2, for the safe transportation of materials for storage.

Once commissioned, BEPPS2 will provide additional storage capacity for intermediate-level waste packages arising from the site’s retrievals and remediation programmes. When full, it will hold approximately 7,500 packages across two vaults.

Stephen Hodgson, operations director, said:

“This is a significant milestone and achievement that has only been achieved by working collaboratively with our key delivery partner, Sir Robert McAlpine, and their supply chain partner, Bauer.

“I continue to be grateful for the entire project team’s unwavering commitment to high standards and delivery excellence.”

Environmental knowledge sets Tim apart

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

*Tim Murdoch, construction environmental advisor*

Building strong relationships, leading by example, and staying grounded in experience — that’s how Tim Murdoch, construction environmental advisor, supports the success of our SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP).

Tim has been part of SCP since 2019 and is well-known across the project for his depth of environmental knowledge and practical, people-first approach. From managing contaminated ground and liquid effluent to advising on waste, Tim’s work is central to delivering safe and compliant outcomes in a complex construction environment.

Tim said: “I just try to be myself. Build trust, be approachable, and always treat people with respect. It’s all about relationships in the end. If you can do that well, everything else usually follows.”

Tim began his role focusing on excavation, groundwater, and waste management. Over time, as the project progressed, so did his responsibilities. He now carries multiple SQEP roles on behalf of Sellafield Ltd, allowing him to work flexibly across different environmental functions and ensure high standards are maintained throughout.

Tim added: “Helping to turn a design aspiration into a construction reality is something I enjoy. It’s about applying experience, listening and understanding how things work on-site, not just how they look on paper.”

Leading by example

His approach is based on integrity and action. He strives to lead by example and bring a calm, respectful presence to every interaction. Tim said:

“I’d never ask anyone to do something I’m not prepared to do myself. I hope that people respect that. It’s about showing up, supporting people, and setting a consistent standard.”

He’s also passionate about the site’s environmental past, drawing on experience gained over the past few years working with Sellafield’s environmental industrial legacy. He said:

“You’ve got to care about what you do; this isn’t just a technical challenge — it’s part of something bigger. I’ve learned so much about the history of this place, and I’m proud to be part of the recovery and transformation.”

Despite his senior role, Tim’s leadership is rooted in humility and teamwork. He added: “I’m just one of many, everyone plays a role, from delivering innovation to keeping us compliant on the ground. It’s a collective effort, and that’s what makes the difference.”

Tim’s approach reflects what Proud to Lead is about — using experience, empathy, and collaboration to support the team, protect the environment, and keep the project moving forward.

Hands-on approach works for Steven

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

A supervisor our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP), takes pride in leading his team through site work with a hands-on and proactive approach.

Coming from a military background, Steven Boyd, who works for Lindner, brings a disciplined and structured mindset to supervising his team of 16, including both experienced tradesmen and apprentices.

For Steven, leadership means being involved and solution-focused. He works closely with his team to address challenges head-on, finding solutions rather than focusing on problems.

Steven said: “It is all about tackling new tasks and working out solutions together.

“I like being involved in the details and making sure we find the best way forward.”

One of Steven’s key strengths is his ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Drawing from his military experience, he knows the value of teamwork and effective communication.

He added: “It is definitely beneficial to have people from different walks of life on the team. Everyone has their own perspective, and that variety helps us work better together.”

Coordinating manpower, and dealing with overlapping tasks from various contractors, can be challenging on site. Despite this, Steven maintains a positive outlook, focusing on planning and communication to keep the work moving smoothly.

Pride in project

Steven is proud to be part of a multi-million pound decommissioning project that makes Sellafield safer for the public.

He said: “I am proud to be involved in a project that is making a difference to safety on such a large scale.”

Steven’s dedication to professional growth is clear. Recently, he achieved his construction site management level 6 qualification, supported by Lindner. He encourages others to keep pushing forward, adding:

“Take every opportunity to get qualified. Show interest, and people here will help you progress.”

His approach reflects what Proud to Lead is all about: commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and leading by example.

Read more of our Proud to Lead stories on the following links:

Proud to lead: Celebrating our supervisors on PPP – Sellafield

Proud to lead: Celebrating our supervisors – Sellafield

Matt makes a lasting impact at PPP – Sellafield

Pump and valve milestone for SCP

Posted on June 24, 2025 by helent

West Cumberland Engineering's team — The team from West Cumberland Engineering standing in front of the pump and valve modules.

Our SIXEP Continuity Plant (SCP) project team has achieved its latest significant delivery milestone, completing the manufacture of 14 bespoke pump and valve modules.

Just as important as the building structure itself, is its inner workings. With the help of a vast supply chain, the project is making progress manufacturing a complex arrangement of tanks, vessels, pumps, valves and pipework. Once the facility is commissioned, these vital components will all work together to treat effluent streams from legacy facilities across the site.

This latest milestone coincides with the 40^th anniversary of Sellafield’s existing Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP). SIXEP, which has been operational since 1985, is one of the site’s key effluent treatment plants because of the role it plays in treating liquids from some of the site’s oldest assets, including the First-Generation Magnox Storage Pond and the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo.

The plant acts as the ‘kidneys’ of the Sellafield site, filtering out nuclear material before the liquid is safely discharged to sea. The new-build plant, SCP, is on course to be operational in 2029 and will ensure SIXEP can continue its vital work for decades to come, in support of the site’s decommissioning.

Simon Wilcock, SCP’s project director, said:

“I am immensely proud of the team for reaching our third major milestone. The successful on-time completion of the specialist pumps, remotely maintainable valves and modules, is a huge step for SCP, removing a significant risk to the project.

“This achievement is a great example of the supply chain working collaboratively, with the focus on being successful together, to deliver a high-quality product that will form the heart of the effluent treatment process, and supporting high-hazard reduction for years to come.”

The supply chain behind the milestone includes German-based AZ Armaturen who manufactured the valves, Hayward Tyler and Stainless Metalcraft who manufactured the pumps, and West Cumberland Engineering Ltd who completed the final module manufacturing, intricate connecting pipework and welds.

Watch the video here to hear more about the work of West Cumberland Engineering Ltd.

SRP Safety Energy contractor of the month: NG Bailey

Posted on May 15, 2025 by helent

Congratulations to NG Bailey, this month’s Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) Safety Energy contractor of the month. The award was presented to the team by Fraser Cruickshank, SRP senior project manager.

NG Bailey earned this recognition for their excellent concurrent Safety Energy performance, maintaining a low impact safety energy score, and effectively managing period one observation fluctuations. This achievement reflects their commitment to safety and their proactive approach to maintaining high standards on site.

Kent Fearon, NG Bailey SHE manager, said: “Being named SRP’s Safety Energy contractor of the month for the third time is a tremendous honour for NG Bailey — a milestone that reflects the strength of our team and our commitment to continuous improvement.

“This recognition highlights not only our collective efforts but also the safety innovations we have championed, including the 360° protection safety helmets and the Press to Check RPE system, now standard across PDD.

“Our collaborative approach, working closely with the project team and sharing best practices, has been key to driving progress and raising the bar for safety performance. Since the launch of the Safety Energy initiative, we have set ambitious targets that challenge us to continually improve and lead by example across our projects.

“I could not be prouder of the dedication and passion shown by our entire team. This award is a testament to their hard work. While I may set the vision, it is our workforce and management who bring it to life through their relentless focus and commitment. This recognition belongs to every single one of them.”

A huge well done to the NG Bailey team for their outstanding work and continued dedication to safety.

Weathertight! Major milestone hit for SRP

Posted on May 15, 2025May 15, 2025 by helent

The final concrete pour on the roof slab of our Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) process building has been completed. The latest achievement, for one of the site’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects, means the main building is now fully weathertight.

John Leslie, SRP project director, said: “I’m delighted we’ve reached another pivotal moment in the delivery of SRP, and I want to congratulate the team on their latest achievement.

“This is an extremely complex major project to deliver, and through our PPP delivery model we have collaborated with our supply chain partners Kier, Severfield and Mammoet to achieve another significant step forward.

“Delivering projects of this scale and keeping them on track, while keeping everyone safe, is no mean feat and is thanks to the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated everyday by hundreds of people across our supply chain all striving for excellence.”

Facts and figures

To complete this latest milestone, over 2,700 cubic metres of concrete from Sellafield’s new on-site batching plant was poured, pumped up to a height of 30 metres, over a 12-week period to complete the roof slab. Now the process building is weathertight, the facility’s internal and mechanical fit-out will progress, pushing the project closer to its active commissioning and operations in support of the government’s plutonium disposition strategy announced earlier this year.

Louis Twentyman, a graduate of PPP’s internship scheme and now a site engineering apprentice on the project, said: “It’s amazing to be part of a project the scale of SRP, and one with such an important role in the site’s decommissioning.

“Not everyone gets to work on projects of this stature and where there’s something interesting and exciting happening every day. It’s amazing seeing it progress and to be part of it all – I can’t wait to say I helped to build that.”

Confidence

The project is one of only a handful of the country’s major infrastructure projects to hold a ‘green’ delivery confidence rating from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects.

Once commissioned, SRP will safely receive special nuclear material packages from existing storage locations across the Sellafield site before retreating them into new 100-year packages for safe storage. The SRP facility will enable all special nuclear material to remain safe and secure in its store into the next century and beyond and, therefore, plays a key role in delivering Sellafield’s purpose to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

For more on this story go to: Flagship Sellafield project seals major milestone – GOV.UK.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Marking Dementia Action Week

Posted on May 15, 2025 by helent

Next week is Dementia Action Week (Monday 19 to Sunday 25 May) – an annual event that aims to raise awareness and encourage action to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

To celebrate the week, our teams have put together a pack of resources to showcase the support available and to provide an opportunity to learn more about dementia.

To access the pack yourself, download it by clicking below.

Dementia Action Week Resource Pack

Knowingly Safe 24/7 Awards – don’t miss out!

Posted on May 14, 2025 by helent

There’s now just one week left to nominate our Knowingly Safe champions for 2025. What’s more, there are eight awards to choose from.

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to keep us all Knowingly Safe? Well this is your chance to get them the recognition they deserve!

The window to nominate people for this year’s inaugural Project Delivery Directorate (PDD) Knowingly Safe Awards 2025 closes on Wednesday 21 May.

The awards will celebrate those working across Major Projects who go above and beyond to drive continuous improvement in our safety performance and those who have shown the Courage to Care 24/7 within the wider community.

The eight award categories:

Knowingly Safe Champion – An individual who consistently goes above and beyond in ensuring they deliver their work in a Knowingly Safe manner.
Knowingly Safe Supervisor – A supervisor who puts safety performance at the forefront of their duties when supervising their team.
Knowingly Safe Team – A group of individuals who have consistently demonstrated Knowingly Safe behaviours during the delivery of their work.
Knowingly Safe Rising Star – An individual early in their career who has joined the programme and made an immediate and significant impact. They will have brought drive and energy to their role and demonstrated key PPP behaviours.
Knowingly Safe Innovation Award – The organisation, team or individual who has proactively brought safety improvements and innovation through learning within their organisation or the wider industry.
Boots On, Switch On – People Plant Interface Award – The organisation or team who have proactively sought out improvements and innovation in the area of PPI during the recent campaign.
Courage to Care 24/7 Award – This award is to recognise the team or individual who demonstrates our Knowingly Safe behaviours and values outside of the workplace within their wider community.
PDD Supply Chain Knowingly Safe Award – This award is to recognise the supply chain partner who have excelled in their demonstrable commitment to Knowingly Safe through everything they do (organisations are not required to submit a nomination for this award).

How to nominate

Nominations can be made by clicking the link here before the deadline of 21 May or by scanning the QR code, pictured left.

An independent panel will select the winners and runners-up with the results to be announced at the PDD Knowingly Safe Awards ceremony on Wednesday 11 June in B524.

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. I look forward to reading the nominations and meeting the winners at the awards event.”