Protecting people, powering progress
Inside our UK health and safety daysProtecting people, powering progress
Inside our UK health and safety days
Our commitment to health and safety was recently emphasised through a series of Health and Safety Days conducted at our UK data center sites, in alignment with Equans Safety Week. These events, led by our dedicated local project teams and supported by our esteemed clients, Vantage Data Centers and VIRTUS Data Centres, served as valuable opportunities to pause and reflect. They reinforced our focus on what is paramount: ensuring the safety of one another and our dedication to achieving zero harm within our operations.
Our shared mission to keep everyone safe
Health and safety are at the heart of everything we do at Equans Data Centers. Guided by the Equans 12 Golden Rules, our goal is simple yet fundamental:
Zero fatal or serious accidents on every site, everywhere, every time.
Each Health and Safety Day focused on one of these golden rules, encouraging teams to discuss, demonstrate, and deepen their understanding of how these principles apply in practice. These sessions reinforced our collective responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of ourselves and one another, ultimately promoting secure working environments and enhancing our overall personal well-being.
Wales: Focusing on health
In Wales, the day opened with a powerful message from Thomas Jung, Chief Operational Excellence Officer.
“Health and safety depends on collective commitment. All our employees, subcontractors and partners should actively pursue continuous improvement and have both the responsibility and support to raise concerns immediately. Anyone who identifies a potential hazard must feel empowered to say ‘stop work’ without fear of consequences.”
Focusing on Golden Rule #11: HEALTH, the session emphasised creating healthy environments and prioritising our physical wellbeing.
The event featured an interactive session by The Healthy Employee, who provided valuable tools and inspiration to make lasting improvements for both physical and mental well-being. Their practical “healthy table” showcased a selection of convenient foods that promote gut health and sustained energy, including options such as sauerkraut, prunes, and ginger shots.
A creative highlight came through a series of dramatic sketches, depicting everyday site scenarios that reminded teams about the effects of fatigue, poor nutrition, and overreliance on caffeine. This creative approach successfully encouraged meaningful discussions about well-being, both in and out of the workplace. It served as a poignant reminder that even minor lifestyle choices can lead to significant improvements in overall health.
“ We want to create a movement, a culture of shared vigilance and collective responsibility for those who may be impacted by our work. ”
Stockley Park: A collective focus on protection
In Stockley Park, over a hundred colleagues, suppliers, and local students came together to explore new ways to improve safety through innovation and collaboration.
The focus for the day was Golden Rule #3: PPE Protective Equipment and Tools.
Suppliers showcased the latest technologies and solutions, highlighting cutting-edge protective gear as well as an innovative safe cutting station. These are designed to minimise vibration, dust, sparks, and noise, exemplifying how practical innovation can enhance safety in the workplace.
Charlie Louet, Deputy Managing Director, reinforced the importance of leading by example: “We strongly believe that everyone can go home safe every day. PPE is one of the first lines of defence. When you wear it, you are signalling that you are part of our health and safety culture.”
The event was an inspiring moment to share experiences, recognise progress, and reaffirm our belief that safety is a collective effort. This is essential for maintaining a robust safety culture in the data center sector.
Our culture of care and continuous improvement
These Health and Safety Days provided moments of connection and reflection. They reminded us that every conversation, every action, and every decision can make a difference.
At Equans Data Centers, we are proud of the strong safety culture that defines our teams. Through continuous learning, open dialogue, and innovation, we are building data centers where health, safety and wellbeing are never compromised. Together, we are striving for a safer, healthier future because life matters most.