Certas Energy: SAFETY F1RST

The Challenge

Certas Energy is the UK’s largest independent distributor of fuel and lubricants. Employing more than 2,200 people in offices, depots and terminals across the country, they deliver over four billion litres of fuel to customers every year.

Being such a large and diverse business, with people in a wide range of operations and non-operations roles from drivers to engineers to sales, bringing employees together to mark ten years of their award-winning SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero programme posed a unique challenge.

Certas Energy weren’t looking for just a celebration of their commitment to Zero Harm. They wanted a chance to reflect on all the great work done to date, and to look ahead to securing their place as industry leaders throughout the energy transition.

This presented a golden opportunity for us to reinforce Safety and Environmental Protection as a pillar of Certas Energy’s sustainability strategy and strengthen their competitive advantage in an industry prone to high staff turnover.

The Approach

More than six weeks of communications and engagement materials were planned and produced. From a story-led email campaign and entire week of celebration activities, to no fewer than six divisional launch events.

The rollout was staggered, moving through the business division by division to suit their specific operational responsibilities and obligations. This approach allowed every one in every part of the business the opportunity to engage in a way that was relevant to their role and ensured the SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero story was told from every angle, with no part left out.

To reinforce the collective nature of reaching this milestone, personalised postal packs were sent to each and every colleague. This included a division-specific booklet containing an overview of the new SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero framework, as well as guided exercises and illustrated scenarios designed to help colleagues apply it to their specific role.

Also included in the pack were a commemorative pin badge, a letter from the CEO and an invitation to attend SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero Celebration Week.

The week began with a bang with more than half of the workforce dialling in for the opening town hall presentation, hosted by the Certas Energy CEO. A full programme of webinars, meet the SAFETY F1RST Champions events, framework familiarisation sessions, Cority lunch and learns and safety sit-downs followed, all requiring their own PowerPoints, handouts, crib sheets and animations, created and developed by us.

Individual division-led launches and local events came next, empowering teams to celebrate in ways that resonated with their specific operational context and audience.

For additional engagement and traction throughout the six-week period, a suite of ambient materials were created—posters, web graphics, email signatures and more.

Dee and the team are a highly valuable strategic asset to our goals and brand. Their knowledgeable and creative approach has helped us engage with our people at a much deeper level. Since we began working with them, we’re noticing greater behavioural change and increased levels of responsibility across our business.

Wilma Kelly,

HSE Director, Certas Energy UK

The Outcome

Reflecting on 10 years of SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero allowed Certas Energy to see just how far they had come in their safety journey. Perhaps the biggest achievement being consistently bringing their Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate below 1.0.

By inviting and encouraging colleagues from each division to share their unique stories and experiences, we brought authenticity and connection to the SAFETY F1RST Vision Zero celebration. While at the same time, promoting the value of recognising and celebrating each other’s safety successes.

The impact of this flagship programme has been clear to see: transforming the safety mindset of the company at large, empowering all employees to adopt a shared responsibility for health and safety behaviour, and contributing to creating a culture where people follow the rules, not because they have to, but because they want to.

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