Issue 32 August 2018 Online Newsletter_FINAL

thedialogue
ISSUE 32: June 2018
NVQ Success
Lining operatives get their blue CSCS cards
Peter Duffy Limited has recently successfully
completed a training and assessment programme for
our sewer lining operatives in DrainsAid. Due to the
withdrawal of the Construction Related Occupation
CSCS card we were unable to find a training provider
who could properly assess sewer lining operatives for
the relevant NVQ to show that they were skilled
workers. We also struggled to fill vacancies with
experienced operatives due to the highly specialised
nature of the work. CITB were approached through the
flexible fund to back the project, which included
developing and piloting 9 training modules in a variety
of topics ranging from customer service to ambient
lining, and to put together the assessment team to
deliver the NVQ’s.
We are pleased to report that the first group of 6
operatives have just completed the programme and
received their NVQ certificates. These 6 operatives are
the first in the country to have been assessed for the
Sewerage & Drainage Maintenance Operations NVQ
while completing repairs using trenchless technology.
Their blue “skilled worker” CSCS cards have been
received, bringing the total number of Sewerage
Maintenance Operatives with skilled worker CSCS cards
up to 18. Jason Hine, who managed the project within a
team, said “We’re really happy that we can recognise the
skills and knowledge of the sewer lining teams with this
qualification. Peter Duffy Limited has always shown a
commitment to training and developing its staff”. Jetting,
CCTV and Excavation teams can also be assessed for the
NVQ using the different pathways available.
Now that the pilots have been completed the next step is to
assess the remaining workforce.
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE
LEEDS
FLOOD
DRAMA!
SAFETY
UPDATE
Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland)

ISSUE 32: June 2018 phone 01924 871100 email info@peterduffyltd.com online www.peterduffyltd.com
thedialogue
thedialogue
If you slip and injure
yourself at work you won’t
be far from a first aider
who will give you the initial
care that you need and
arrange for further care if
required. But what if you
are struggling with mental
health? Would you know
where to turn to for
support?
Who could you talk to? Could you be open with your
work mates? Or would you suffer in silence?
1 in 4 people will be affected by mental health disorders at some
point in their life. Yet mental health is still a massive taboo that
people don’t feel they can talk about. This is particularly the case
amongst men.
Did you know that you are 3 times more likely to encounter
someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts than someone
suffering a cardiac arrest? Mental health is a wide and varied range
of issues including Anxiety, Depression, eating disorders and
suicidal thoughts.
Mental health effects every one differently but like any illness if
ignored it will not go away. Far too often we only know that
someone is struggling with mental health when it is too late and a
person has reached crisis point.
As a company we want to change this. We want to break down
some of the barriers that stop us talking about mental health. We
want to have a work place where people feel they can talk to their
colleagues about struggles without the fear of being mocked but
knowing that people will be understanding and help them to get
the support they need.
...WE ARE STILL
ON THE MOVE!
The planned relocation of Peter Duffy
Ltd’s Head Office from Connaught
House to Flanshaw Way is still
progressing albeit somewhat slower
than initially envisaged. To allow us to
relocate we need certainty that we will
be able to develop the Connaught
House site following our departure and
obtaining this necessary approval is still
ongoing. However in the interim we
have determined our space
requirements at Flanshaw and
completed initial design layouts for the
site which has resulted in us being able
So what does this mean in practice?
As a first step the company has invested in training 3 of our staff as
mental health first aiders. These first aiders have been trained in
how to offer initial support and journey with people to get access
to the correct support that they need.
In addition to this in May we will be running training for managers
and supervisors to raise awareness of mental health and what
signs to look out for in their teams.
Then later in the year we will be running a program called ‘let’s
start the conversation’. Aimed at ensuring we all have an
understanding of mental health and know how to spot the signs in
our work mates and how we can help people open up and start the
journey to getting support.
site which has resulted in us being able
to offer for sale two plots of land that
are surplus to future requirements. We
have submitted a planning application
for the works required to prepare the
site and install access roads and subject
to approval being obtained we plan to
be onsite with the enabling works in the
Summer.
GREAT SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT
In the first 5 months of 2018, 253 near misses and positive interventions have
been reported. Each one of these is an area where we can improve the way we
work to make our workplaces safer for everyone. There are some trends in what
we are seeing; the most common are detailed below. Plant and machinery (32)
– the main issue here is people returning equipment with faults to site and
depot stores without reporting faults or repairs required. All faults must be
reported to your supervisor or the plant and fleet team to ensure the can be
repaired.
Employees are reminded that they have a duty to report all faults or repairs
required under Health and Safety at Work Act.
I am pleased to report that it has been
one year since we last had a RIDDOR
reportable injury. This means that the two key
performance indicators (AFR and AIR) are both
at zero. This is a big achievement as in May 2017
our AFR was 0.33 and our AIR was 7.2. This has
INCIDENTS
BY TYPE
In the past few months we have received a number
of compliments and praise for our employees
JN Bentley thanked our employees for a great job at Pasture
Road; ‘their attitude to safety and the process of installing the
lining was second to none’. He also commented;’ that it was
nice to see the method statements
and risk assessments amended when
the weather changed causing different
PRAISE
RECEIVED
only been possible due to everyone’s hard work
in working safely. We need to keep up this good
work and not become complacent as it only
takes one uncontrolled hazard to lead to an
incident and this achievement will be a thing of
the past. So let’s continue with the good work,
Slips Trips and Falls/ Housekeeping (58) – Poor housekeeping is one of the
main reasons for slips, trips and falls on site. Ensure you keep your work tidy;
don’t allow materials to block footpaths, store materials safely and securely.
Weather also increases the risk of slips, trips and falls so don’t forget to
consider how the weather, good or bad, may affect your work.
Third Party (15) – Most of these relate to our clients – if something is not safe
we must challenge it whoever is involved
PPE (15) – We are still finding people not wearing the correct PPE – PPE is
there to keep you safe. Ensure you and your team have the correct PPE for the
task before starting work and that it is used correctly at all times.
INCIDENT TYPE 2018
MAJOR 0
OVER 7 DAYS 0
LOST TIME INJURY ( LESS THAN 7 DAYS) 1
MINOR 0
DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE 0
SERVICE STRIKE 3
ENVIRONMENTAL 1
SIGNIFICANT NEAR MISS 1
NEAR MISS / POSITIVE INTERVENTIONS 253
hazards’.Clayton Penistone / Cema Clayton would like to thank
everyone involved at Sycamore Avenue for doing a brilliant job.
Alan Hill, Clayton Penistone, also praised Leo Cullen, John
O’Rourke and Lee Goodwin for working well all day despite
the awful weather conditions.
Leeds City Council sent a huge thanks to all involved in the
removal of debris and a large log from the Crown Point weir.
The meticulous planning and execution contributed to
successful removal of the log.
A customer in Wales praised the way our team explained the
whole procedure from start to finish and that nothing was
too much trouble. Given the weather conditions he was
impressed with the way the site was left in very good order.
Another customer of Welsh Water praised Mike and Paul for
a fantastic job raising a manhole to path level, cutting and
relaying existing paving slabs and leaving the area very tidy
and cleared away all the rubbish.
take a look around your work area and ensure
we keep working safely, report any near misses,
make interventions and always put Safety First.
Well done everyone and hopefully this time next
year we will be reporting the same achievement.
C WOODWARD SHEQ MANAGER
Imogen Brown of Welsh Water acknowledged customer
praise received for Darren and Matthew who were said to
be very helpful and; explained everything they were
doing. The customer also stated ‘that they left safety
barriers overnight which was brilliant as she has a
young child and you couldn’t tell they had dug up the
garden as everything was put back as they had found it.
A brilliant job from start to finish’.
Residents from Field Head Lane were very happy with
the team who did the drives, tarmac and drainage. They
were neat, tidy, polite and no litter or rubbish was left
around.
Yorkshire Water and the residents at St Mary’s Avenue
Mirfield praised Dennis Purcell, Steve Fairfield and Lee
Garside for their behaviour. The team worked efficiently
and were very accommodating.

ISSUE 32: June 2018
phone 01924 871100 email info@peterduffyltd.com online www.peterduffyltd.com
thedialogue
thedialogue
NEWS & UPDATES
SPORT RELIEF 2018
The Wakefield Office had a fun filled day on
Friday 23rd March fundraising for Sport Relief.
Delicious cakes and other goodies were on sale and dress up
was order of the day (sporting theme where possible).
During the week a number of Peter Duffy employees took part
in a cycle/running challenge which was slightly hampered due
to very poor weather conditions.
However they valiantly went out and between them
completed 302.9 miles.
The Sport Relief Jonnie Peacock sweepstake, how many
steps would be completed in a day by Jonnie, was a grand
total of 9115 steps. Congratulations to our sweepstake
winners Janette Clegg and Helen Jennings.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
£168
WHO TOOK PART IN SPORT RELIEF
FUNDRAISING WEEK, WE RAISED
Apprentice of the Year
Apprentice, Joe Hobson, has been
confirmed as the “Apprentice of the
Year 2018” at Askham Bryan College
where he is currently studying for his
Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in
Construction Plant Maintenance.
The Apprentice Awards Ceremony 2018
took place at the Askham Bryan Campus in
March. Sandra Burnhill, Executive Director
for Apprenticeships, Quality & Standards
at the college states “Completing an
apprenticeship is a major milestone and
the first step on the ladder to a future
career, the college and the staff are both
proud of the achievement”.
Joe previously was the regional winner of
the Construction Plant Association “Stars
of the Future” award for 2017. Joe was
nominated for the award as he has
demonstrated knowledge and technical
skills required for this demanding role,
combined with his exemplary attendance
record and high level of commitment.
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE
AGAIN TO JOE FROM ALL AT
PETER DUFFY LIMITED
PETER’S
UPDATE
Welcome back
Dialogue! It’s
good to see the
newsletter back.
Due to changes in
the middle of last year we had to suspend
the newsletter but we know from feedback
that it is important to our employees and
hopefully we have the resources to
continue with future copies. We need
contributions from across the business so
share your news with us.
The past few months have been a
challenge in terms of continuity of
workload, particularly in DrainsAid
however tender enquiries still remain quite
plentiful with a couple of long term key
frameworks to bid for so we are hoping to
continue as we have over the past few
months with the potential for some growth.
It remains very competitive and we must
focus on productivity but above all, work
safely.
Wellbeing and mental health concerns
have been getting a lot of attention in our
industry recently and we at Peter Duffy
Limited have commenced training and
awareness on this sensitive topic as noted
in the article in this issue which I
recommend you read.
To keep ahead of the game we need to
continually improve in all aspects and in
addition to getting it ‘right first time’ we
need ideas on how to improve. Your
contributions are welcome and there are a
number of ways in which you can
communicate these; employee reps, near
miss cards, employee survey or simply
let your manager or myself know
your idea or innovation.
Peter Duffy
Managing Director
Leeds City Council Flood Defences
Leeds City council recently found themselves
with a problem; a large tree had fallen into the
river Aire and became trapped on the newly
installed weirs at Crown Point. These weirs
form an important part of the new £60m city
centre flood defences and the tree was
stopping them operating correctly increasing
the risk of flooding.
The council turned to Peter Duffy Limited for a
solution to remove the log as part of a new
contract to maintain the flood defences.
Chris O’Hora and his team set about identifying
a safe method of work to remove the log
from the weir. There were a number of
challenges that needed to be overcome.
• The weirs are a very dangerous part of the
river and it is not safe for anyone to enter the
water around the weirs when in full flow.
• The access to the river bank and working area
was very limited; it was only possible to access
the area with an 8 ton excavator which was not
able to lift the tree out in one piece.
• The working area was on a busy river side
foot path that had to remain open. Chris and his
team worked closely with the council and in
partnership with the River Stewardship
Company and came up with a plan for removing
the log in a safe manner.
The new moveable weirs are the first of their
type to be installed in the UK so experience of
how to operate and the impact of waters levels
was limited.
Before work started, one side of the weir was
lowered to reduce the amount of water flowing
over the weirs. The effect was to drop the
overall river level by 400mm.
Once it was safe to do so operatives from the
river stewardship company entered the water
with a rescue boat to provide emergency
response if things went wrong.
The team then proceeded to cut the tree down
into small sections that could be lifted out and
loaded onto a wagon for the removal from site
The job proved to be a big success and proved to
be a valuable learning experience for everyone
involved. Well done to Chris and his team.

phone 01924 871100 email info@peterduffyltd.com online www.peterduffyltd.com
We hope you enjoyed this issue of thedialogue
STEAM
LINING
DrainsAid working with JN Bentley and Yorkshire Water
undertook a large CIPP lining scheme in Hinderwell, North
Yorkshire. The works consisted of re lining 1.3km of
225mm diameter combined sewer which ran from the
village of Hinderwell to a YW sewage treatment works, the
sewer suffered from over capacity of flows, root infestation
at various locations and heavy infiltration.
The line ran through both farmland and highway and consisted of
a variety of challenging locations with various issues to overcome
through the scheme. DrainsAid decided that for certain lengths a
steam cure application would be an ideal solution to make for a
speedy installation time and would reduce the install time and,
perform better against infiltration, as the liner cures quicker using
steam rather than hot water. Due to the long lengths involved
steam cure enabled multiple lengths to be installed in ‘one shot’.
DrainsAid had only previously installed one liner using steam so
the works at this site were going to be a test for the team to install
and develop this technique using their previous knowledge of
lining combined with a new technique. Malcolm Macdonald,
Wayne Egan, Nic Maricic, Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Egan and the
other guys who assisted at various points took to the challenge
with great enthusiasm and determination to install these liners
with the new technique and enhance DrainsAids capabilities and
potential solutions. The scheme was completed successfully and
we can now confidently offer clients various solutions on other
projects and contracts.
The advantages of using steam curing are the installation and cure
time are a lot quicker than traditional methods, the site footprint is
largely reduced and we have the option to get equipment in and
out of difficult locations with ease.
Peter Duffy Limited has achieved
another Gold Medal - our 9th
consecutve Gold - in the
internatonally-renowned RoSPA Health
and Safety Awards, the longest-running
industry awards scheme in the UK.
The award recognises the hard work
that everyone has put in on a daily basis
to ensure that every job we undertake
is delivered safely to meet the
standards expected by our clients and
our own high expectatons.
The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisatons
around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety
management systems, including practces such as leadership and
workforce involvement.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifcatons, awards and events, said:
“The RoSPA Awards are the most highly-respected in the health and
safety arena, with almost 2,000 entrants every year, and allow
organisatons to prove excellence in the workplace, demonstratng a
commitment to the wellbeing of not only employees but all those who
interact with it.”
Chris Woodward our SHEQ manager will be presented with the award
at a ceremony at Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel in early July.