Safety Day at wienerberger: promoting zero harm

At wienerberger, safety means ensuring everyone goes home in the same condition they arrived, with the confidence to speak up, raise concerns and make decisions that keep themselves and others safe.

That commitment sits at the heart of our Zero Harm approach and is why, each year, colleagues across our UK & Ireland business come together for Safety Day. Taking place across production sites, offices and business functions, Safety Day provides a dedicated opportunity to learn, reflect and reinforce the role we all play in creating a safe and healthy workplace. 

This year marked the first time Safety Day was delivered as a fully regional initiative, and teams in different sites stepped away from their daily routines to take part in a range of practical activities, discussions and workshops. While the sessions varied from location to location, the objective remained the same: empowering colleagues with the knowledge, confidence and skills to support a safer workplace.

From first aid and emergency response training to fire extinguisher demonstrations, risk-awareness discussions and safety challenges, colleagues explored both the physical and behavioural aspects of safety.  

During the event at the Cheadle Site, Simon Nevitt, Chief Development Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland, highlighted the importance of keeping safety at the forefront of everything we do.

"We have an ultimate ambition of zero harm, but as we stand today, we want safety to be at the core of everything we do. Although this is the sixth year we've organised Safety Day across all our sites, it’s our first time making it a fully regional initiative and it's something we're incredibly proud of. My challenge to everyone is to take away just one thing from today, whether it's something that helps you personally or an idea that enables us to work more safely and effectively as a business."

Psychological safety: creating a culture where everyone can speak up

A key focus of this year's Safety Day was psychological safety and the important role it plays in creating safer workplaces. While physical safety remains at the heart of our Zero Harm approach, fostering an environment where colleagues feel confident to speak up, ask questions, share ideas and raise concerns is equally important. When people feel listened to and supported, potential risks are more likely to be identified and addressed early, helping to prevent incidents before they occur. By encouraging open communication, trust and mutual respect, we can create a positive safety culture where everyone feels empowered to play their part in keeping themselves and their colleagues safe. 

In one of the sessions delivered by Elizabeth Hyde and Kay Thompson-Barker from Hespes GRC, they helped employees explore how we can foster environments where people feel comfortable sharing concerns, asking questions, offering ideas and challenging unsafe behaviours without fear of judgement. The discussions highlighted the strong link between psychological and physical safety. When colleagues feel empowered to speak up, risks can be identified earlier, concerns can be addressed more effectively, and better decisions can be made. By building a culture rooted in trust, respect and open communication, we strengthen our ability to keep one another safe while creating a more positive and inclusive workplace.

In one of the sessions, Jamie Scott, Health and Safety Partner at wienerberger UK & Ireland, challenged colleagues with a health and safety quiz and encouraged conversations around best practice and continuous improvement.

Reflecting on the day, Jamie commented: 

"Health and safety is about making a difference every single day. We need to be a little safer today than we were yesterday. Safety Days are always impressive because you see the commitment people have to keeping themselves and their colleagues safe."

^{Pictured (left to right): Elizabeth Harper, Kay Thompson-Barker and Jamie Scott}

Defibrillator awareness, CPR and emergency response

Practical emergency response training was also part of the sessions. Chris Mackay, First Aid and Fire Marshal Instructor at Medicus Training, supported colleagues on how to respond confidently in emergency situations, including the safe use of defibrillators and CPR techniques.

Commenting on the event, Chris said:

"Teaching first aid to the staff at wienerberger is incredibly important. It's a vital skill not only for the workplace but also for everyday life. First aid is a life skill that can make a real difference when it matters most."

Supporting wellbeing through healthy living

Safety Day also explored the important connection between wellbeing and performance with Alison Clark, Dietitian at AC Health and Nutrition Ltd, who shared practical advice on healthy eating and nutrition, helping colleagues understand how small lifestyle changes can positively support both wellbeing and day-to-day performance.

Creative wellbeing

Colleagues in some sites took part in a creative painting workshop, producing striking portraits of one another. The activity provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues, step outside of everyday routines and recognise the importance of wellbeing as part of a holistic approach to safety.

Safety Day is a reminder that creating a safe, healthy and supportive workplace is a responsibility shared by everyone across our business. By continuing to strengthen both physical and psychological safety through shared learning, open conversations and practical action, we are building a culture where colleagues feel empowered to speak up, look out for one another and contribute to a safer future. Because at wienerberger, every day is Safety Day.