Meet the Member: WT Jenkins Ltd

Posted on May 6, 2014

Scott has interviewed the managing director of one of our Members companies about health and safety and their business.

1. Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Steve Murray (right). I’m joint managing director of WT Jenkins Ltd – my partner is Tony King (left).

We have been running the business since 2006 and just recently completed the takeover from the founder, Bill Jenkins. It is a growing company with an annual turnover of £3m. While I was working as an electrician I decided that I wanted to further my career, so I put myself through a NEBOSH general certificate course. I started working for WT Jenkins Ltd in May 2000 as HSEQ Manager; assisting Tony and Bill with the growth of the company and helping to diversify its activities. I found my safety knowledge benefited the company as I was easily able to manage contracts and deal with quality procedures.

2. What does WT Jenkins Ltd do?

We specialise in the supply, installation and maintenance of flood lighting; road lighting, public realm lighting and traffic signage. And we have a network of 35 contractors; such as Laing O’Rourke, Balfour Beatty, Carillion and local authorities; who provide us with repeat business.

3. What is your view about health and safety as a whole?

I’d like to think it’s coming back to more of a common sense approach. It has gone from one extreme to another, where the people involved didn’t seem to understand application from a business point of view. People ask you to do ridiculous things at times, without knowing what they’re asking for; which causes unnecessary time and expense to the businesses.

4. What do you dislike most about health and safety?

People who operate tick boxes and differing formats of the same documents. For example we provide RAMS as a safety conscious company, which are correct in detail, but are sometimes not accepted; because they’re not in a preferred format. These people will not let you on site unless you have a certain piece of paper, or certain layout which is time and money to the business. It’s starting to get better, I think.

Another thing is PQQ’s from contractors who don’t recognise the SSIP schemes. Which means that people like me (if I didn’t have Courtley) have to fill in lengthy documents, despite already having sufficient certification. Similarly, contractors who only recognise one of the SSIP memberships – WT Jenkins Ltd now have CHAS, Safe Contractor, SMAS and Construction Line – we should only need the one. But the fact is, certain contractors only recognise one scheme and you can’t access site without the specified badge! I think the top health and safety people need to address this situation if they want to be taken seriously.

5. What would you change?

I would try to bring back the common sense approach. It’s quite easy to pick on someone from a health and safety perspective. But I think that if a company is training staff, risk assessing and providing safe systems of work, as well as actively monitoring these systems and behaviours; a common sense approach is sufficient. If a company is acting unsafely without their knowledge, they should be educated and not punished.

6. How did improving health and safety standards benefit WT Jenkins Ltd?

I think it has made us more professional. And we do strive as a company to be as professional as we can, especially in how we deal with people; I think this is what’s helped us maintain repeat business. We are still a family run business and our approach to treating everyone with respect and professionalism is definitely beneficial.

7. So are your views shared with the entire workforce?

The professionalism that is expected is normally achieved, but it’s also constantly reinforced. On larger sites, all aspects of work are carried out to a very high standard. We feel we have to reinforce the professionalism standard sometimes on smaller, low-risk sites; however, we strive to maintain high quality output, no matter what project we are undertaking. The requirements of our health and safety procedures benefit us greatly.

8. What are your objectives for the coming years?

Win the lottery, retire and grow fat and old!!

No, no! I would like to see the business prosper under current management, providing a long term and safe environment or all employees; especially in this uncertain climate. I think the industry is gradually improving, but contest for work is still extremely high.

Website: www.wtjenkins.co.uk