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Lafarge takes the lead on cycle safety

Jul, 05 2012

(UK) -- This year, for its annual Health and Safety Day, Lafarge Cement’s Aberthaw Works joined forces with nearby Rhws Primary School to educate pupils about cycle safety and lorry awareness.

The younger pupils’ playground was transformed for the day with the presence of a large 44-tonne bulk cement vehicle. Driver Paul Chinn, dispatch controller Glyn Davies and the company’s national logistics manager Clare Bottle presented different aspects of lorry and cycle safety to a total of 90 Year 5 and 6 pupils.

All the children had an opportunity to climb into the lorry cab to find out what it’s like for a driver. They were told about the range of safety equipment the drivers have access to including mirrors, cameras and sensors, which are particularly important in improving visibility of other vehicles and cycles. They were also shown the best position for a cyclist to adopt in relation to a large vehicle.

Aberthaw Works manager James Kirkpatrick comments: “June is Lafarge’s Health and Safety Month. Every year, Lafarge sites around the world hold special safety focused activities to reinforce the team’s focus on strong safety performance. This year, we wanted to also build on our links with the local community and support a campaign being run by our trade body, the Mineral Products Association. Its National Cycle Safe Campaign aims to raise driver and cyclist awareness of how to avoid accidents on the roads throughout the UK. Whilst few of these pupils are out cycling on the roads yet, this was a good opportunity to educate them early on how to cycle safely and think about how best to be seen.

“During the day we also talked to them about the high visibility clothes and safety equipment we wear at Lafarge, in particular the drivers’ uniform which is tailored for maximum safety for them. We hope that this message will also encourage the children to ensure they are easy to be seen when they take their bikes out. As a way of reinforcing this, we gave each of the children a high visibility drawstring kit bag.

”For us, this was a very successful event for us to get involved in at one of our neighbouring schools, in our Centenary Year. We hope we can have the opportunity to meet more local people and talk to them about our operation at our Centenary Open Day on Saturday 21 July*. “

Rhws Primary School headteacher Louise Lynn adds: “This Lafarge road safety event was a big hit with all the children. They were fascinated to see what it was like in the driver’s cab and to have an opportunity to ‘get close’ to one of the large Lafarge lorries. Most importantly, they are now thinking more about what they need to do to be safe on their bikes. It was good to partner with Lafarge, an important local employer, in such a positive and practical event.”

For more information about the MPA cycle safe campaign, please go to www.mineralproducts.org.

Source:

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