Raymond Brown Fleet once again achieves Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Bronze Accreditation

We are pleased to announce that the Raymond Brown Fleet has once again achieved the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Bronze accreditation. This reaccreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and environmental performance of our fleet and drivers.

FORS is a nationally recognised, voluntary accreditation scheme designed to raise standards across fleet operations. It highlights operators who demonstrate best practices in road safety, fuel efficiency, and environmental protection.

Achieving the Bronze standard reinforces our focus on safe and responsible transport operations. Thank you to Simon Webb, Transport Manager, and Steven Laight, HSQE Manager, for leading the reaccreditation process, and all our staff for their continued efforts in maintaining our high standards.

Mark Renault wins MPA Special Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Employee

Congratulations to Mark Renault, Environmental Permitting Manager, for winning the MPA Outstanding Contribution by an Employee Award. Mark has been with the business for 27 years and is one of the company’s longest serving employees. He has a particular passion for Brickworth Quarry in Wiltshire, having spent 20 years out of his 27 year career based on site there. In 1998, he was initially employed at Brickworth Quarry as the Weighbridge Clerk, he then developed to Plant Operative and later, progressed to Quarry Manager. In 2018, Mark’s proactive approach and enthusiasm for biodiversity and nature across all of the Raymond Brown quarries led to his promotion to the role of Environmental Permitting Manager.

Mark has leveraged his operational expertise and environmental knowledge to enhance ecology and biodiversity across all Raymond Brown quarries and has played a key role in developing new mineral reserves, managing the closure of restored quarries and overseeing ecological management. Mark recognises the importance of diverse, sensitive and unique habitats and uses his practical strengths and ‘hands on’ approach to directly deliver biodiversity benefits. He has used his site experience to contribute his knowledge and ideas to shape the ever changing habitats within the quarrying sector. With 27 years of commitment to the industry, this award is incredibly well deserved, congratulations Mark.

Rob Westell, Estates and Planning Director commented: “Biodiversity creation is now central to any planning application, but delivery relies on people. We are immensely proud of our on-site teams and all they do to give mother nature a boost, but sometimes an individual stands out for going that bit further. Mark is an asset to our Planning & Estates team and the business and I am extremely pleased that his ‘above and beyond’ efforts have been rewarded with this prestigious award. Well done Mark.”

Raymond Brown Quarry Products reaccredited with ISO 45001 Health and Safety Management System

We are pleased to announce that Raymond Brown Quarry Products has again been successful in the recertification of our ISO 45001 Health and Safety Management System and surveillance of our Quality ISO 9001 and Environmental ISO 14001 standards.

Steven Laight, HSQE Manager said: “Our sites consistently demonstrate audit readiness, requiring only a small amount of preparation for each audit and the auditor noted that all activities reviewed as part of the audit were considered to be very well managed and controlled.  Well done to all our office and site teams for keeping us going home safely, remaining healthy, whilst protecting the environment.”

Brickworth Quarry’s commitment to Restoration Blossoms with 6,000 New Trees and Shrubs

A photograph, captured by one of our dedicated staff members at Brickworth Quarry, depicts the positive strides taken toward environmental restoration at Brickworth Quarry.  Following the extraction of sand and backfilling with inert material in Phases 1 and 2, the Brickworth Quarry team carefully laid PAWS (Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites) soil as per the guidelines outlined in the approved planning permission.  These two phases, along with Round Copse North, were then planted with approximately 6,000 trees and shrubs.

This concerted effort has resulted in the transformation of these areas, including a part of Round Copse North, into lush green spaces adorned with trees and shrubs. The species planted include:

Trees:
Oak
Hornbeam
Sweet Chestnut
Beech

Shrubs:
Field Maple
Common Alder
Hazel
Hawthorn
Guelder Rose

These trees and shrubs not only enhance the local ecosystem but also stand as a testament to the team’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible land restoration.

Raymond Brown Quarry Products awarded Bronze reaccreditation under the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS)

Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd has again been awarded the Bronze accreditation under FORS.
The accreditation follows an extensive re-approval audit which ensures we meet the strict criteria set out by the FORS standards which encompass all aspects of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Thank you to all staff, particularly the Transport Team for their help in maintaining our high standards and their dedication to the safety and effective monitoring of efficiency.

FORS is a voluntary accreditation scheme for fleet operators. It aims to improve standards within fleet operations and demonstrate which operators are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency and environmental protection.

Raymond Brown supports Whiteparish Cricket Club

Earlier this year, Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd made a donation to Whiteparish Cricket Club, which is located closely to Brickworth Quarry. This donation was aimed at supporting the club’s efforts in acquiring new youth equipment and establishing a patio area.

We are pleased to learn that the final project has now been completed and Rudo Wormgoor from the Whiteparish Cricket Club said: “We are delighted to have raised enough money for an extensive new patio area that wraps around the whole building, picket fence, planted area, new chairs, new benches and new signage which makes this feel more like a cricket viewing area. Thank you to Raymond Brown for your support.”

Black Swans pay a visit to Roke Manor Quarry

Some rare black swans visited us at Roke Manor Quarry in Romsey.  Black swans, native to Australia and rarely spotted in the UK, are large waterfowl species recognised by their black coloration and distinctive red beaks.  Thank you to Andrew Willis, Quarry Supervisor, and Nick Crouch, Plant Operator for capturing them.

Raymond Brown Quarry Products wins internationally recognised health and safety accolade for 14th year from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

We are delighted to announce that Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd has won a RoSPA President’s (14 consecutive Golds) Award, demonstrating its commitment to health and safety excellence and dedication to ensuring its staff, customers, clients and contractors get home safely at the end of every working day.

The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Accidents at work and work-related ill health don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption – they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. That’s why good safety performance deserves to be recognised and rewarded.

“We are thrilled that Raymond Brown Quarry Products Ltd have won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”

Sponsored by Croner-i, the RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for the health and safety industry.

Lifesaving Defibrillators now available across all Raymond Brown Sites

We are pleased to announce that the Raymond Brown Group has installed defibrillators across all sites, including quarries, IBA processing facilities and the head office in Chandler’s Ford.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a lifesaving device that can help someone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock.

The new ZOLL AED Plus Fully Automatic Defibrillators were purchased from St John Ambulance and provide access to potentially lifesaving equipment for staff, visitors to our sites and the local community.

Steven Laight, Group HSQE Manager commented: “The well-being and safety of our employees, visitors, and the communities in which we work has always been our priority.  The implementation of the defibrillators was an outcome of our staff suggestion program, and we are delighted that each of our sites now has its own fully automatic defibrillator.  These are a great additional measure in protecting the health of our teams and can be shared with the local community as they are registered on the national defibrillator network.”

Raymond Brown Group sites take part in another successful ‘Stop for Safety’ Event

All Raymond Brown Group sites took part in a group-wide ‘Stop for Safety’ event on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

The site management and site teams are well versed in Stop for Safety and the event sees all plant operations temporarily stopping to allow safe access for our staff to walk around in teams to spot hazards, safety concerns and improvement ideas. Actions are then fed back to the team to ensure continual improvement.

Steven Laight, HSQE Manager commented: “Thank you to all the site teams for their participation again, we have had some really positive feedback and ideas across all our sites this year.  These events help set the tone for a positive HSQE culture and eliminate/reduce risks and hazards from our sites.”