Fastflow Matters - Spring Issue | Page 4

Jobs well done We are always delighted to receive thanks and commendations from our clients and customers for the work we do and since the last edition of Fastflow Matters we have received the following correspondence: “I wish to commend Alan Hughes and Michael Forster. You could not have sent two nicer men. They were so helpful, caring and courteous. Two wonderful guys.” (Mrs. Cowey, Chester-le Street). “Can I pass my thanks on to Chris Griffin and Norman Thurlbeck for the repair to a burst on a 12” main on the Holystone roundabout. They have done an excellent job. Well done lads.” (Trevor Jobling, NWL). “The lads who attended, Dave Hughes and Alan Tumelty, performed an excellent job.” (Stella Wright, NWL). “Thanks to Mark Coates and Steven Todd for a brilliant job at the Spennymoor War Memorial. They got the job done and all cleaned up in time for our Memorial Service.” (Parade Marshall, Spennymoor). “Can I thank Kevin Bell and Shane Wintersgill for supplying a first class service. They had a very difficult job through the night to restore the water to 600 houses.” (Trevor Jobling, NWL). “Thanks to Chris Wigley and Shaun Smith for successfully managing a job in Gateshead. We had a missing valve and the shut off affected 500 houses but they located it and carried out the repair with only 10 houses off. Well done.” (Trevor Jobling, NWL). “Our customer was extremely complimentary about Kevin Bell and Shane Wintersgill. We could not turn the water off but they promptly donned their waterproofs and got stuck in.” (Craig Raynor, NWL). Taking a healthy interest in you The health of our people is very important to us and so we have joined forces with Occupational Health North East (OHNE) to introduce a new screening programme. It comprises a routine health surveillance and medical, lasting around 45 minutes and including: • • • Height, weight, blood pressure • • • • Hearing test Lung function test Musculo-skeletal assessment Skin assessment Bob Nicholas, Group Safety Manager, has welcomed the service, stating: “This will help us to minimise health risks to our employees.” Vision test Hand/arm vibration assessment The road to safety Probably one of our most hazardous and scrutinised work activities is driving. Whilst Fastflow has a duty to provide vehicles and systems which are up to standard, drivers are responsible for insp ecting these vehicles at least daily, driving safely and efficiently and reporting defects. Drivers can be seen at any time by police, the HSE, the vehicle inspectorate VOSA, the local authority, the client and members of the public. Overloading vans is dangerous, inefficient and unprofessional. The onus is on both the driver and the company. The driver can be prosecuted for dangerous driving – a conviction which carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail. The police and VOSA have recently taken a keen interest in vans, stopping and checking them with increasing regularity, often finding: • • • Please remember that if you are stopped, it will be you as the driver, who will be held responsible for faults which could lead to conviction, fines and points on your licence. So, don’t put yourself or the company at risk - Lights not working Overloading Regularly inspect your vehicle for roadworthiness and report faults immediately • • • Worn tyres • Load vehicles carefully and safely Drive carefully Keep vehicles clean and tidy, inside and out. Fastflow Head Office: 12 Parsons Road, Parsons Industrial Estate, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE37 1HB. Tel: 0191 415 7744 . Fax: 0191 419 3051 . www.fastflow.co.uk