Construction, refurbishment and fit-out contractor Gilbert-Ash is asking everyone, including subcontractors, to photograph potential hazards and share them instantly using a QR code displayed on its sites.

The campaign, called Safety in Numbers, is designed to improve hazard-spotting skills and encourage all workers to take responsibility by raising issues the moment they see one.

Gilbert-Ash, an employee-owned CIOB company, launched the campaign at its annual summit, which was live-streamed to gatherings in Belfast, Dublin, Bristol and London.

It saw the unveiling of red taxis emblazoned with Safety in Numbers branding and a pun – “Take one for the team” – to encourage workers to get snapping.

The taxis will tour Gilbert-Ash sites in the coming weeks to visually reinforce the message.

‘The more eyes and ears the better’

“We have a phrase that sums up our philosophy, we call it ‘As One’, and it means exactly what it says,” said Gilbert-Ash managing director Ray Hutchinson in a video promoting the campaign.

“We work, think and plan together because, when we do that, the outcomes are always more than the sum of the parts. The same goes for onsite health and safety.

“Although many of the people working on site might not be direct Gilbert-Ash employees, we still treat them with the same care and consideration. Looking out for each other on construction sites is where ‘As One’ really comes into its own. So if we all take responsibility for health and safety, there’s less chance of something going wrong.”

He continued: “You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘there’s safety and numbers’, and, in this case, it’s an absolute fact: the more eyes and ears we have actively watching and listening for potentially dangerous situations, the fewer incidents and injuries we’ll have.”