Insights from HSE Director, Rob Clapham
June is National Safety Month, which makes it a great time to pause and reflect on how we’re keeping our people and workplaces safe. At 14forty, our safety-first culture is backed by action. From manned guarding to remote monitoring and intelligent technology, our security services are built to remove risk, not just manage it. Whether it’s a friendly face at the front desk or intelligent surveillance systems working 24/7, our integrated security services are designed to create safe, welcoming, and productive environments for all.
We recently caught up with our HSE Director, Rob Clapham, to chat about recent achievements, ongoing improvements, and the behaviours that are helping to drive long-term safety success.
Can you tell us about 14forty’s recent advancements in Health & Safety?
“At the core of our HSE practices is a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence. That commitment earned us a RoSPA Gold Achievement Award this year – an exciting progression from last year’s Silver. We’ve supported this by launching a new Health & Safety eLearning programme for managers and introducing thank you cards to give our HSE cultural leaders the recognition they deserve. Our operational procedures have also been streamlined, enabling us to simplify processes like product temperature checks so that our teams can have more time to focus on what matters.”
How about food safety?
“We’ve taken major steps forward in food safety this year. In March, we launched two new Allergen Awareness eLearning modules for caterers and non-caterers, ensuring all our teams know how to continue to manage allergens effectively. In May, we introduced Level 3 Food Safety eLearning competency tests, which ensure we save time while our standards stay high. We’ve also received extremely positive feedback following a successful trial of Digital HACCP at our Parklands office restaurant. It streamlines compliance processes and shows potential for a broader rollout throughout Compass Group UK&I.”
How do you promote good practices across 14forty?
“One of the most effective ways to embed a strong safety culture is through leading by example. Our teams conduct Safety Walks during every site visit, underscoring our Safety-First leadership culture through conversations and active listening. The numbers show it’s working – Business & Industry has seen a 148% increase in Safety Walks compared to last year.”
Do you have any examples of how the team stays proactive?
Over the course of this financial year, we’ve seen a circa 1,000% year-on-year increase in hazard observation and near-miss reporting compared to the same period last year. This shows how the 14forty team are identifying potential risks and taking action to resolve them, preventing incidents before they occur and protecting our people. It’s incredible to see how culture can progress when safety is treated as a shared responsibility.”