Our Duty of Care
Protecting People
We have more than 10,000 employees, and the safety of each one is paramount. This also extends to our contractors, visitors and customers.
Health and safety
We have around 10,000 employees and we want all of them to go home, safe and healthy every day. We adhere strictly to health and safety codes to protect staff, whilst focusing on a safety culture, supporting employees’ physical and mental health.
Accident reporting
It is our aim to entirely prevent workplace accidents. Our office staff follow clear precautionary procedures, whilst our manufacturing sites are fitted with machinery that has the latest safety features. This led to a significant drop of 38% in the severity of accidents from 2014-2018, and our Reportable Injury Rate results continue to show we are performing significantly better than the UK national average.
Safe to Trade
In 2018, we rolled out a new tool kit for depot staff, entitled Safe to Trade. The pack sets out expected standards of safety for each depot, to ensure consistency across the network. All existing depot workers were retrained using the system, whilst new staff now work through it as part of their induction. The training materials include a film book, online software and a flip folder for quick reference or refresher training.
Safe to Supply
Our manufacturing and logistics sites understandably carry an enhanced risk of accidents. In response to this, we have created the Safe to Supply behavioural programme. It places a strong onus on staff to take responsibility for their well-being, and of those around them. So far, 1,500 employees have completed the training, which includes asking the question, “Am I safe, and are my workmates safe?” before carrying out a task.
HOWDENS Making space more valuable
Business model and Strategy
Our depots
Sustainability
In the community
Our products
People & Careers
Financial Results
