The vast majority of incidents at work are caused by unsafe behaviour. One of CEMEX’s biggest challenges, is therefore to change habits and encourage people to ‘stop and think’ before carrying out a task. Work-related incidents are preventable and it is the right of every employee to go home well and free from injury at the end of each working day. CEMEX aims to achieve zero lost time incidents in the UK and, although, this is an ambitious target, CEMEX is confident this can and will be achieved.

In the UK it is estimated that up to 90% of workplace injuries are caused by unsafe behaviour. To bring this figure down, CEMEX has created the following 12 fundamental rules that all employees are expected to commit to, in the interest of themselves and their colleagues:

1. Housekeeping

Keep designated access routes and work areas tidy and free from trip/slip hazards.
2. Get a grip

Hold handrails on stairways and use three points of contact getting into/out of vehicles.
3. Personal protective equipment

Always wear the correct PPE.
4. Manual handling

Use mechanical aids or ask for help to reduce the risks.
5. Tools / equipment

Use the right, well maintained tools/equipment for the job. Never make do.
6. Driving

Drive safely, ensure you are authorised and that vehicles/mobile plant are well maintained.
7. Safe systems

Follow safe systems of work, site rules, signage and traffic signals.
8. Isolation procedures

Never work on live or moving machinery – always ‘lock out’.
9. Working at height

Use appropriate access equipment and fall protection.
10. Confined spaces

Obtain a permit to work and always follow the safety requirements.
11. Look after your colleagues

Don’t let anyone act unsafely, always stop unsafe practices.
12. Incident/hazard alert cards

Report all incidents/hazards immediately.

In 2005, CEMEX achieved a 35% reduction in the number of reported employee lost time injuries. CEMEX was also the first major quarry products supplier to insist as of April 2005 that all contractors on quarries, concrete plants, wharfs and asphalt plants hold the EPIC health and safety passport (more information can be found below). This contributed to a reduction in contractor lost time injuries in the relevant parts of our business from 12 in 2004 to 1 2005.

Contractors passport
A5 essentials