This week (17-24 November) marks the UK’s biggest road safety event, organised by ‘Brake’, the road safety charity.
We were delighted to attend Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery School in Stevenage encouraging pupils to stay safer when they are out and about.
Our Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) team from M Group Services’ Plant & Fleet Solutions led two sessions raising awareness on the hazards that can occur on and near roads.
The day began with a presentation from Mark Dixon, SHEQ Director and Leanne Sheff, SHEQ Manager. Through a range of interactive activities, they gave the pupils an insight into who we share the road with, including some they may have thought about, such as bikes, cars and buses, but also some they may not have, including highways and infrastructure workers.
The team also explained how the pupils can be safer when crossing the road, using road crossings and looking both ways. In our effort to make sure all road users ‘be bright, be seen’, we gave each pupil a high-vis vest, which they loved.
The highlight of the day, however, was when the pupils were given the chance to sit in one of our diggers, even getting the chance to press the horn.
Speaking on the importance of Road Safety education, Mark Dixon, said: “We had a fantastic experience presenting to Trotts Hill Primary School about road safety, as well as an interactive experience with two excavators. It was wonderful to see the children engaged and excited, wearing the high-vis vests we had given them, to reinforce the importance of being seen and staying safe.
“A big thank you to the school for their excellent organisation and for allowing the children hands-on learning opportunities, and to the children for their participation and knowledge regarding road safety. All in all, it was an impactful day of safety and exploration.”
Ayesha Dent, Year One Teacher at Trotts Hill Primary and Nursery School, said: “Our pupils had a fantastic morning learning about road safety and diggers on our roads. The students had a great session learning about hazards and safety on the road.
“They loved being able to sit in the digger and look at the control. Thank you, M Group Services, for such a wonderful morning.”
As part of the day, we left the pupils with a competition, to create a drawing to remind people not to use their phones and drive. We can’t wait to see all the great creations, with the winning art to appear on some of our vehicles.
Across M Group Services, we are committed to not only protecting our people, and the communities in which we work in line with our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets.
