DB Cargo UK launches major new safety campaign

DB Cargo UK, the UK’s largest rail logistics provider, has launched a major new campaign in its ongoing drive to deliver safety excellence across all its operations.

Called ‘Together. We’re Safer. Together. We’re DB’, the campaign explicitly empowers the company’s 2,200 colleagues to intervene and stop any activity that they see, or even just feel, may be unsafe.

Developed in conjunction with the Lancashire-based design agency Studio Up North (SUN), it has been launched following a series of in-depth, internal focus groups held last year – the biggest and most in-depth piece of safety-related research undertaken by the company.

Every colleague has been issued with a safety intervention card which gives them the authority, backed by the UK management board, to step in and challenge any activity or instruction they believe is unsafe – whether that activity is being undertaken by a colleague, a customer, or contractor.

Colleagues are then encouraged to follow a simple, non-bureaucratic process known as ‘STOP. DISCUSS. RESOLVE. REVIEW.’ which has been used effectively in many other industries to improve companies’ overall safety performance.

The campaign will be supported by a programme of behavioural safety training to be rolled out to all ground staff, engineers, drivers and asset owners in the coming weeks.

DB Cargo UK’s head of safety Marc Binney said: “If we are to succeed in sustaining a positive and healthy safety culture, where colleagues are comfortable to challenge unsafe acts and be open to challenge themselves, then we must work together and look out for each other.

“Empowering colleagues to intervene when things don’t look safe – even if their concerns ultimately prove to be unfounded – shows they care and they will not be criticised for doing so. We want colleagues to intervene with the reassurance and confidence that they have the company’s full support in doing,” he added.

DB Cargo UK’s Head of Communications Richard Sears said: “We are delighted with the new campaign which has already received a very positive response from colleagues working in all areas of the business.

“Studio Up North took the finding from last year’s research, visited DB’s sited and spoke at length with our colleagues to come up with a campaign that really gets to the heart of what we are trying to achieve,” he added.

“And by making our colleagues effectively the poste boys and girls of the campaign, they have really brought it to life in an engaging way and guaranteed ownership across our operations from the very beginning.

“It’s our real colleagues, in recognisable locations, giving relevant advice that will really make a difference.”