Browne Kicks off 2025 With Annual Safety Stand Down

Browne kicked off 2025 with our Return-to-Work Safety Stand Down events, held at the elegant Marriott venue. Over the course of two days, approximately 300 Browne staff gathered to engage in meaningful discussions around prioritising safety within the workplace and discussing new and exciting initiatives, all whilst enjoying a delightful breakfast.

The event featured an insightful business update by Managing Director Paul McMahon. Key speeches were also delivered by Ross Hagger, Charley Ryan, and the newly appointed Director of SHEQ, Kevin Budge. Each speaker highlighted the importance of safety and the company's ongoing commitment to its workforce.

On the second day, we had the pleasure of hearing from a special guest speaker Matthew Hazelton, the Director of a small groundworks company. Matt provided a harrowing insight into the implications and trauma of a workplace incident which offered a sobering reminder of the importance of implementing the change management technique, SLAM - Stop, Look, Assess Manage.

The contract leads within the business delivered a review of the works completed in 2024 and updates on the projects lined up for 2025, showcasing the company's robust pipeline ahead.

BrownE Awards were presented to Brendan Rowland, Julian Smakaj, Marjus Qorris, Trevor Curran, and Satinder Singh for excellent use of CAT & GENNY tools, essential for detecting underground services and preventing accidents during excavation.

BrownE Awards were also presented to Duncan Brennan, Ionut Pletosu, Nigel Whitfield, Colin Holland, and Virender Singh for raising the highest number of observations on SISIRI, a system designed to streamline safety incident reporting and improve response times.

Additionally, Jenkins Entee, Andrei Jaman, Jason Bulloch, Danny Mizon, and Hayden Day were recognised for the highest number of observations within Yellow Jacket Inspections, a process designed to enhance safety through regular, detailed checks and observations of on-site activities.

Congratulations to all these employees for their outstanding commitment to safety.

The sessions also included critical discussions on mental health, advancements in new technology, updated PPE requirements, and reminders of general safety protocols, ensuring that all staff are well-informed and prepared for the challenges of the year ahead.

Adding to the experience, Fusion, a company specialising in innovative site equipment, demonstrated new tools that operatives will soon be using in line with our permit to cut, and tooling hierarchy. This hands-on showcase provided a practical view of safer alternative tooling.

The event fostered a positive atmosphere, allowing staff to connect and build stronger relationships with their peers.

Overall, the Safety Stand Down sessions were a resounding success, reaffirming Browne's dedication to the safety, well-being, and continuous improvement for all our staff.