Inspiring Lanes trio recognised at safety awards

Three colleagues at one Lanes Group plc division have been presented with national awards for inspiring others with their dedication to supporting the health and safety of others.

Andy Brierley (pictured above, centre), Kelly Hansford and Jack Gale won RoSPA Inspiration Awards which recognise excellence in the delivery of occupational health and safety.

All three work for Lanes Utilities, the wastewater network services maintenance partner for Thames Water, which is responsible for surveying, cleaning and repairing sewers for the water company’s 15 million wastewater customers.

Lanes Group Director Andy Brierley was one of six people to receive the RoSPA Distinguished Service Award, which is given to safety professionals or campaigners who make a sustained and long-term contribution to health and safety.

Since Lanes started working with Thames Water in 2012, he has devised, inspired and championed a string of pioneering and award-winning health and safety initiatives. The latest is the first 360-degree video training theatre in the world that capable of using virtual reality to train groups of people.

Kelly Hansford receive the Influencer Inspiration Award, along with three other people. The award recognises individuals who made the biggest impact on health and safety in 2018.

Kelly is both a mental health practitioner and a trauma risk practitioner who works on a pioneering Lanes initiative to support the wellbeing of colleagues.

A wellbeing app monitors employee happiness and puts Kelly in touch with individuals who want help with any problems, including mental illness, personal debt and family disputes. At any one time she is supporting around 40 colleagues.

Jack Gale was the only person in the UK to be awarded the RoSPA Inspiration Pride Award for 2018 which recognises ‘acts of heroism’ in a life-threatening situation when selflessly helping others.

The young wastewater engineer saved the life of a one-year-old baby boy carried into the street by his distraught mother after he had stopped breathing. Jack took the correct emergency action needed to revive the baby, who made a full recovery.

The awards were presented to the impressive trio during a RoSPA gala dinner held at ExCeL in London. Andy Brierley said: “It was very special for all of us to be praised and recognised by our peers. It’s made us all the more determined to help others lead safe and happy lives.”