The voice of business in the Tees region | 33
Intasite directors
Danielle Bloom
and Andy Murphy
with PD Ports chief
operating officer
Jerry Hopkinson and
North East Chamber
of Commerce chief
executive James
Ramsbotham.
THE FIRST
PORT OF CALL
How Intasite is shaping the future of site induction
W
hen Teesport operator PD
Ports wanted to revolutionise
their induction process as
part of a new automated gate
system, they naturally turned to Intasite.
The in-house team at the Middlesbrough-
based company had delivered PD Ports’
induction videos for several years and were
keen to help solve this latest challenge.
Working closely in partnership with PD
Ports, Intasite was able to completely
transform the way visitors including haulage
drivers, ship's crew and contractors are
inducted to ensure they can operate safely
on site.
“Intasite streamlines the health and
safety induction process for secure sites,”
says director Danielle Bloom. “Instead of
arriving at the gatehouse and sitting through
an induction of maybe 45 minutes, we've
built a software platform that allows you to
do it before you arrive.”
An email invitation is sent in advance
to the visitor, who clicks on a link and
completes the induction at home or in the
office via their own computer, tablet or even
a mobile phone.
The induction is just as thorough as if the
visitor was on site and includes multichoice
questions to ensure vital information has
been understood. If the wrong answer is
given, that part of the video is repeated.
The really clever part of the platform
Intasite devised for PD Ports is the way it
adapts to the many different nationalities of
visitors to a large container port.
“The user is asked their language and
we securely send their information to PD’s
automated gate system. When a driver pulls
up to the gate and scans his pass,
not only does PD know they’ve
been inducted, but the screen will
display instructions in their own
language.”
That all helps ensure PD Ports
will retain gate-to-gate times
that are among the best in the
industry, even as it continues to
increase container volumes at a
rapid rate.
“It means they don't have
multiple wagons queuing up at
the gatehouse, with each driver
having to get out, sit down and do the
induction,” says Danielle. “It’s all done in
advance and they can pass straight through.
“Site managers can also send out a
mass text message to update visitors about
news such as a gate closure and automatic
reminders are issued if a new induction
needs to be renewed. Other companies
provide similar off-the-shelf solutions but
we’re flexible and will build in any bespoke
features the client wants.”
The idea was born when one of Intasite’s
directors saw how inefficient the old way of
doing inductions was, with everyone having
to turn up an hour earlier before starting on
site. It has now carried out around 50,000
inductions for PD alone.
Intasite can also provide contractor
management functions such as verifying
certificates, valid insurance documents
and risk assessment method statements,
as well as producing high-quality induction
videos, including scriptwriting, editing,
voiceovers and music.
“Some induction videos can be well over
BY MICHAEL MCGEARY
Danielle and Andy in front of the new
automated gate with PD Ports staff.
ten years old but when things change – a
speed limit or PPE, for example – we'll
update our clients’ films so they’re never
out of date.”
Major names on board include
ConocoPhillips, Sirius Minerals, SABIC, EDF
Renewable Energy and Intasite’s biggest
customer, Telefonica O2, which uses the
system to induct contractors at around 20
switch centres throughout the UK.
“Providing a facility to be inducted from
anywhere ahead of arrival improves your
company profile, saves time and reduces
costs,” says Danielle.
“It can be used anywhere an induction
is needed – heavy industry, construction,
ports, oil and gas and factories as well.
“When we first started, the concept
was so new that people didn't know it was
an option. Now it's becoming more well
known and when people see it in action,
they want it for themselves.”
To find out more visit intasite.com