Operating Board responsibility for Health and Safety was assumed by the Menzies Distribution Director of Human Resources. In 2009 the department appointed an additional member of staff to ensure greater visibility and presence at a branch level, and to provide a much more proactive stance. It has also recently instigated a substance misuse policy, and training sessions have been held for all staff.

MORSE and the safety strategy

The most common injuries in this business are those sustained from manual handling, slips and trips, and moving objects. Best practice is shared between the our divisions, and Menzies Distribution uses a variation of Menzies Aviation’s MORSE programme. The division has just completed its first three year safety strategy, designed to encompass all staff in the division. This strategy has proved successful and will be extended over the next three years. It is aimed at targeting Health and Safety training at all levels within the organisation, specific to the tasks and responsibilities held by the individual:

1. Directors’ responsibility and duty training
   Designed and undertaken by an external facilitator to update and inform all Distribution Directors of their health and safety responsibilities. All directors on the Operating Board have received this training.
2. Competence and Senior Management
   Training to IOSH qualification level in risk management.
3. Supervisors Stepping Up programme
   Over 135 staff members have now completed this four day training programme.
4. Introduction of Electronic Reporting Tool
   A new tool is currently being selected to complement the existing MORSE programme.

The division continues to evolve its vehicle movement practices, separating workplace vehicle movements from people movements. Our route-map practices were previously highly commended by the Freight Transport Association and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and remain a case study on the HSE website, highlighting Menzies Distribution’s safe systems of work as the blueprint for good working practices.

All staff receive health and safety training relevant to the tasks they perform. CD-based training materials are also available, including our driver training programme which covers safety as well as advanced driving skills to maximise fuel savings.