This spotlight on unsafe actions and conditions is impressive. Every employee has a notepad in which to write down anything potentially risky they see, ranging from a 'near miss' to an unsafe act or condition. In the UK alone Lafarge expects to receive over 600 of these reports each month. "This shows an open culture," believes Geraint. "One where people feel they can report issues and know that corrective action will be taken."

Taking action is important, as a lack of management response undermines the approach. If people report something and nothing is done, they won't report things again. "But it is a two-way contract," says Geraint. "If we take action and everyone agrees on a safer way of doing things - then it must be done that way thereafter. Improving safety requires a two-way agreement and a team effort. Telling people what to do only works when the boss is around. But by being inclusive then when the boss isn't around things continue to be done safely."

These measures are working. Taking the UK as an example, in 2003 on average there was a lost time injury to a Lafarge employee every week. Today there has been over an eight month period without any reportable injuries happening. Central to this is the commitment of senior management. Under a programme called 'Visible Felt Leadership, managers are encouraged to visit production sites and talk to operators about doing the right thing and building a safety culture.

An annual Safety Month is run in every country that Lafarge operates. Drawing in suppliers, local communities and workers' families, events range from children's drawing competitions to barbeques and safety awards. "The family days are especially effective," says Geraint, "as there is no more powerful encouragement to parents to come home safely at night than their own children telling them to take care."

It's hard not to be impressed by the lengths to which Lafarge will go to maintain safety. Routine wearing of Personal Protective Equipment presents the correct image but this is not seen as the primary safety measure. A Safety Management System needs to be established which includes: compulsory induction training, site traffic plans, extensive signage, regular risk assessments, safety audits - and of course modern equipment fitted with extensive safety features.