At our Lane Fox Remeo Respiratory Centre in Surrey, safety isn’t just a policy — it’s a culture. They believe in fostering an environment where every team member is empowered to contribute to health and safety initiatives. Their innovative “Meerkat Manor” board plays a vital part in this, and it helps in promoting safe behaviour across the organisation.
What is the Meerkat Manor board?
Inspired by the vigilant and community-oriented nature of meerkats, the Meerkat Manor board is a unique tool designed to recognise and reward staff for their dedication to safety. Each staff member chooses their own meerkat mascot picture, which is then displayed on the board. This personal touch not only makes the initiative engaging but also ensures everyone feels individually recognised and valued.
Whenever a staff member identifies a risk or takes action to enhance safety, their meerkat picture is moved to the spotlight section of the board. This visual representation highlights their contribution and tells the story of their proactive behaviour. They then receive a sweet reward for their commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
To accompany the Meercat Manor board, our marketing team created Marley the Meercat as a mascot.
- The importance of recognition
Recognition is a powerful motivator. By celebrating safe behaviour, they aim to:
- Change behaviours and attitudes: Positive reinforcement encourages staff to continue engaging in safe practices.
- Reduce injuries and stress: A proactive approach to safety helps prevent accidents, leading to a less stressful and healthier workplace.
- Improve self-esteem and empowerment: Staff members feel valued and empowered when their contributions to safety are acknowledged.
- Increase motivation and recognition: Regular recognition boosts morale and motivates others to follow suit.
- Enhance teamwork: Safety becomes a shared responsibility, strengthening team cohesion.
- Promote occupational health and hygiene: Emphasising safety ensures better handling of hazardous materials and adherence to hygiene standards.
- Protect the environment: Minimising harm to the environment through better safety practices benefits everyone.
The LeadSafe initiative
- Safety: Changing behaviours to reduce injuries and stress.
- Environment: Reducing our environmental impact by promoting good practices.
- Business: Enhancing customer satisfaction, reducing costs, and improving our market reputation.
Our LeadSafe initiative follows a structured process to ensure effectiveness:
- Plan: Identify the purpose of the engagement, assess compliance, and explore solutions.
- Observe: Watch for safe and unsafe acts, engage with employees, and provide constructive feedback.
- Engage: Involve employees in a non-threatening manner, discuss improvements for unsafe behaviours and recognise safe behaviours which are rewarded.
- Follow up and review: Track behaviours, follow up on commitments, and ensure continuous improvement.
At Remeo, they believe every individual has a role to play in creating a safer workplace. The Meerkat Manor board is more than just a recognition tool — it’s a symbol of their collective effort to look out for one another. By celebrating small victories and promoting a culture of safety, they can achieve significant improvements in their work environment.
For more information on Remeo, please visit their webpage.
