Lanes safety expert Scott Tracey is a RoSPA Guardian Angel

Lanes Group health and safety manager Scott Tracey has won an inaugural RoSPA Guardian Angel Award after colleagues and clients praised him for his exceptional ability to inspire others to work safely.

He is one of a number of winners of the new national award that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has created to “shine a light on those who go above and beyond to improve the safety of others.”

Scott is Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Manager for the Rail Division of Lanes Group, the UK’s largest independent underground pipeline repair and rehabilitation specialist.

The rail division undertakes work for rail companies across the UK, including operating multi-million drainage, premises and structures repair contracts for London Underground.

Its commercial director, Matthew Todd, said: “Scott richly deserves this award. He works tirelessly to inspire our staff and everyone he works with to set the highest standards for health and safety.”

RoSPA says the new Guardian Angels are true “safety champions”. Some are health and safety professionals, like Scott, others work in other roles or are members of local communities who improve safety for others.

Scott said: “I’m very proud to have been recognised for a professional role I enjoy and am passionate about. I hope these awards help show the importance and benefits of good health and safety.

“I started my working life as a carpenter, so know my way round the shop floor. I use a common-sense approach which people understand. Listening is the key to good health and safety.”

In the last two years, Scott has developed two innovative safety devices for working at height. One is a personal restraint that attaches to the rail, which has significantly improved safety and productivity. Another is a safety restraint anchored by a bolt attached to walls.

Under Scott’s guidance, Lanes’ LU contracts have an exemplary health and safety record. After 1.5 million man hours, over 4 years, there have been no RIDDOR reportable incidents.

In 2013, Lanes won three LU health and safety awards, one awarded to a non-LU team for the first time. Scott’s initiatives have contributed to Lanes receiving 5 consecutive RoSPA Gold Awards, qualifying the company for a Gold Medal.

He is widely respected by his peers and will help colleagues, clients and competitors alike, day or night.

Shane Thompson, Director of Close Brothers, a Lanes contract partner, said: “I’ve worked in the oil industry, construction and manufacturing. I’ve not found another safety specialist with Scott’s capacity to help, educate and inspire.”

LU Construction Supervisor James Elligott said he was most impressed by Scott’s determination to get to the heart of any problem that has contributed so significantly to Lanes Group’s continuously improving safety record.

He added: “Scott is always keen to find innovations and improvements in safety-related issues, and has worked closely with our department on several innovations and safety initiatives, that have seen measurable improvements in safety behaviours on site.”

Scott will be presented with his RoSPA Guardian Angel Award at a ceremony at ExCeL London on June 17.