Blog: SECBE Awards 2021 finalist - Midas Construction

19 May 2021

sponsored by VolkerWessels UK

Midas Construction

Health, Safety & Wellbeing SECBE Award 2021 finalist

Health, safety and wellbeing are overarching priorities for Midas and pivotal to their vision to be leaders in customer service and performance. Their track record for safety/risk management and performance is reflected in an industry leading Accident Frequency Rate of 0.15 (December 2020 - according to HSE statistics, the industry average AFR for 2019/20 was 1.67). Their practices actively target, monitor and review performance against the highest standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their people, subcontractors, customers, community and the environment.

They are accountable both internally and externally as part of their ISO 45001:2018 compliance audits; with rigorous training and accreditation standards in place for all people - their strongest assets in ensuring they work safely as part of a commitment to a zero-accident culture.

A six-level H&S programme continuously monitors and improves site performance against the highest standards; through weekly reports, frequent safety inspections, directors’ tours, and site H&S audits.

All their projects are signed up to the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) which provides independent site inspections to promote a positive image of construction through best practices in the general public, workforce and environment. Five Midas sites were honoured in the CCS 2020 National Site Awards; including a Silver Award for Sonnet Court Extra Care Facility in Hampshire and Bronze for the Harwoods Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Brighton.

All their site-based staff complete a suite of mandatory courses, and additional qualifications such as Passive Fire Protection training. In addition, regular internal workshops drive quality and lessons learned. People are further encouraged to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training; and a detailed, mandatory, annual Personal Development Review process promotes ongoing performance improvements and provides a forum for discussing concerns and opportunities.

A long-standing commitment to H&S vigilance has seen Midas receive the RoSPA Order of Distinction in 2020, in recognition of 17 consecutive annual Gold Awards in the internationally-renowned Health and Safety Awards.

In addition to rigorous H&S procedures and induction programmes, their ongoing wellbeing calendar - centred around a variety of physical, mental and social health topics - supports, raises awareness and provides guidance on a broad range of issues. All their people have access to confidential support through an independent Employee Assistance Programme; as well as private staff health insurance through AXA. In 2018 Midas committed to the ‘Time to Change’ pledge, launching a series of campaigns to tackle misconceptions surrounding mental health. They now have 12 Mental Health First Aiders and 11 Mental Health Champions.

In 2019 Midas won the Health and Safety Award in the Constructing Excellence South West Built Environment Awards; and was a finalist for ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing Excellence’ in the Construction News Awards.

Key facts:

• Southampton Crossings - the £34m building provides 526 bedrooms across 11 storeys and features communal spaces including study rooms, a multimedia room, onsite gym and roof terrace. The project surpassed Employment and Skills Plan targets; enabling 12 work placements for students, 15 new apprenticeships, employment for six local people and construction industry training and qualifications for people working on the site. Their team also supported 34 construction careers events in the local area, engaging with more than 1,200 students and young people. 
  • Mark Kavanagh, Capita, said, “From entering the site and completing introductions and site induction, it became clear, very quickly that this site operated with a professional ‘can do’ attitude which was further shown in the exemplary running of the site from the Project Management team.”  
  • David Swieton, Employment and Skills Plan Coordinator at Southampton City Council, who produced the Social Return on Investment (SROI) report that calculated value add of £12m for the Southampton economy, said, “The activities have had a positive impact on individuals and communities across the city. The Midas team has represented the development in an exemplary manner whilst engaging effectively around skills for growth in the industry, talent matching for local people and aspirational work with students.”
• Ark Charter Academy - delivered successfully despite the challenges of the global pandemic. Ark Charter Academy achieved BREEAM Excellent and two CCS scores of 40/50, above the industry average of 37/50. The school remained open throughout the works, taking on additional children from other schools during the first COVID-19 lockdown to support key workers. Midas completed this refurbishment and extension project on time, to budget and to the client’s key performance indicators.
• A history of safety performance:
  • Midas has received 17 consecutive Gold Health and Safety Awards from RoSPA.
  • Midas has an average CCS score of 41/50, above the industry average, with five Midas sites winning CCS National Site Awards accolades in 2020. 
  • In 2019 Midas won the Health and Safety Award in the Constructing Excellence South West Built Environment Awards; and was a finalist for ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing Excellence’ in the Construction News Awards.

About the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Award: 

Health, Safety & Wellbeing is of paramount importance and a culture of ‘safety first’ is crucial to performance. Overarching health and safety risk management systems and effective health initiatives are fundamental to reducing or eliminating all types of incident and promoting health and well–being across the supply chain. More info.

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2021 Summit & Awards Ceremony on Thurs 1st July 2021. Free attendance.