Key Points:

Encouragement of open dialogue, diversity in thinking, and cross-team collaboration. 

Start of GEL the day – Introductions and Agenda Setting 

The day began with a brief introduction to the goals of the Safety Morning, emphasising the importance of collaboration, innovation, and proactive thinking. The Gel Engineering team was reminded of the purpose: to engage in meaningful discussions around health, safety, and environmental observations, as well as to develop a safety-first mindset through interactive activities. 

1st Activity: Site Walkaround: Health, Safety, and Environmental Observations 

The team conducted a walk-around of the Rye Meads site, with everyone tasked to make observations relating to health, safety, and environmental concerns. 

Highlights: 

• Collaboration: Members from different teams engaged in discussions, sharing diverse viewpoints on risks and potential hazards. 

• Observations: Identified potential hazards, such as uneven walkways, exposed pipes, and areas that may require additional safety signage. 

• Innovation: Suggested solutions included using color-coded safety markings and enhanced environmental monitoring systems to improve operational safety. 

2nd Activity: Safety Quiz 

A fun, team-building quiz focused on categories such as site safety, hazard identification, and acronyms and emergency procedures.  

Quiz Structure: 

Categories included Health & Safety Law, Environmental Impact, and Equipment Safety. 

Teams debated and collaborated on answers, fostering a competitive yet educational environment. 

3rd Activity: Point of Work Risk Assessments (POWRA) 

The importance of POWRAs was explained and discussed with the Rye Meads Gel Engineering team, with a focus on promoting site safety.  

Key Reasons for Conducting POWRAs: 

• Keep the Gel Engineering team safe. 

• Compliance with UK Regulations – Ensures alignment with Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other regulations. 

• Real-Time Hazard Identification – Identifies unique, task-specific hazards in dynamic work environments. 

• Worker Engagement – Promotes ownership and active involvement in risk assessment by workers. 

• Continuous Improvement – Regularly updated assessments help identify recurring risks and enhance safety process. 

• Improving Communication – Fosters better coordination between teams, ensuring that everyone is aware of potential hazards. 

• Key Learning: POWRAs is vital in ensuring that changing worksite conditions and environments are consistently monitored and managed, thereby reducing accidents and improving site safety. 

4th Activity: "Tower Build"  

The Gel Engineering Teams were challenged to build the tallest free-standing structure using only spaghetti, marshmallows, tape, and string, designed to withstand the placement of a small weight for 30 seconds.  

Objective: To reinforce the importance of teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving in a fun, engaging way.  

Activity Breakdown: 

• Design Phase: Teams brainstormed structural designs that would maximize height while maintaining stability. 

• Build Phase: Each team constructed their tower within a set time limit.  

• Evaluation: Towers were measured and tested for stability. Key evaluation points included height, load-bearing capability, and creative design. 

• Debrief: Teams shared their techniques of their build, structural integrity.  

• Innovation and working under time constraints, mirroring the real-site challenges faced during project work. 

• Winner: The winning team built a tower that was both the tallest and the most stable, demonstrating an excellent innovation using the material given, and teamwork.