AG Builds on Its Strong Safety Culture During October Safety Month

AG has completed another successful October Safety Month, bringing it’s people together across the business to focus on the one goal that matters most: ensuring everyone goes home safe at the end of every working day.

Throughout October, team AG took part in a range of activities, awareness campaigns, training sessions and discussions designed to strengthen the company’s safety culture and reinforce the behaviours that support a safe workplace. Each week focused on a different theme, encouraging employees at every level of the business to think about how they can contribute to making AG an even safer place to work.

Week 1 | Wellbeing

The month began with a focus on wellbeing, highlighting the importance of looking after both physical and mental health.

AG’s Time to Talk initiative encouraged colleagues to take a break and have a chat, starting meaningful conversations. Employees were also reminded of the support available through AG’s 2026 charity partner, Lighthouse, and encouraged to reach out whenever help is needed. The week reinforced the message that no one should feel they have to face challenges alone, and that, Sometimes we all need a lighthouse.

The company’s Good Catch programme also featured throughout the week, encouraging employees to identify and report potential hazards before they become incidents. By spotting issues early and taking action, employees play an important role in creating safer workplaces across all AG sites. To recognise this proactive approach, AG awards a £100 voucher each month for the ‘Best Good Catch’, celebrating those who help prevent incidents before they happen and contribute to a stronger safety culture.

By promoting open conversations and encouraging employees to seek help when needed, AG continues to support a culture where wellbeing and safety go hand in hand.

Week 2 | Personal Responsibility

As part of the #GoHomeSafe Roadshow, AG welcomed Marian Deasy to its Toome and Fivemiletown sites. Marian courageously shared the story of her son, Lorcan, who tragically lost his life in a workplace accident in 2018, and the lasting impact on those closest to him.

Her powerful and emotional story reinforced the importance of personal responsibility and how everyday decisions can have life-changing consequences, driving home the message: Take responsibility, take yourself home.

Building on this, AG’s Team Leaders took part in dedicated HSEQ training, reinforcing the important role they play in maintaining high standards and keeping their teams safe. Each pledged to lead by example, challenge unsafe behaviours, maintain a safe working environment and always make the safe choice.

Following each roadshow, employees came together for lunch provided by local caterers, creating an opportunity to reflect on the messages shared and continue conversations around safety.

Week 3 | Fatal 6

Throughout October Safety Month, supervisors led Toolbox Talks with production teams across AG sites, focusing on key Fatal 6 hazards including Workplace Transport, Occupational Dust, Lock Out & Isolation, Working at Height, and Moving/Falling Objects.

These sessions challenged employees to think about the risks they face every day and the choices they make around them. Additional content was also shared through AG’s intranet platform, keeping the conversation going across the wider business.

The message throughout the week was clear, Speak Out for Safety. Whether it’s a hazard, an unsafe behaviour or a near miss, raising concerns early can prevent incidents and protect colleagues. A strong safety culture depends on people having the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t look right.

Week 4 | PLAN to #GoHomeSafe

The final week focused on one of the simplest but most effective safety habits: taking a moment to plan before starting a job.

Managers and supervisors took part in Safety on Trial, an interactive workshop that challenged participants to examine real-life scenarios, decisions and behaviours that can influence workplace safety. The session encouraged open discussion and highlighted the impact that choices, both good and bad, can have on people, teams and businesses.

The week also shone a spotlight on housekeeping, reinforcing the idea that a safer workplace starts with the basics. Clear walkways, organised work areas and properly stored equipment all help reduce risk and create a better working environment for everyone.

A further focus was placed on non-routine tasks, which often carry a higher level of risk than day-to-day activities. Employees were encouraged to pause and ask themselves four simple questions before starting work: Have I stopped? Have I thought about the risks? Have I assessed the task? Have I planned how to carry it out safely?

The message was clear: rushing into a task can create unnecessary risk. Taking a few moments to STOP, THINK, ASSESS and PLAN can make all the difference in ensuring everyone goes home safe.

Further Strengthening the #GoHomeSafe Culture

Throughout the month, employees also took part in AG’s Safety Slogan Cash Call. At the start of each week, colleagues were challenged to remember that week’s safety slogan and keep it front of mind in their day-to-day work.

At the end of each week, a winner was selected at random and challenged to correctly recall the slogan on the spot to claim their prize. With fantastic weekly prizes up for grabs, including a Ninja Air Fryer, Ring Doorbell, £100 One4all voucher and £100 Omniplex voucher, there was plenty of incentive to get involved! The initiative brought a fun and competitive element to October Safety Month while reinforcing the key safety messages and encouraging employees to put them into practice every day.

While October Safety Month is an important part of AG’s Activ8 calendar, the company’s commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of its people extends far beyond a single month. Creating a safe and healthy workplace is a year-round priority, with employees at the heart of every decision and initiative.

The activities, training sessions and conversations throughout October provided an opportunity to reinforce key safety messages, strengthen awareness and encourage employees to look out for both themselves and their colleagues.

AG’s commitment to health, safety and wellbeing continues to be recognised through a series of prestigious achievements, including two awards at the 2026 NISO/NISG Occupational Health and Safety Awards. AG was recognised with the Mineral Extraction, Quarrying and Concrete Manufacturing Award for achieving distinction-level performance and exceeding industry standards, alongside the Consistent High Achiever Award, recognising five consecutive years of distinction-level performance or higher.

These latest achievements build on AG’s double success at the 2025 Occupational Health and Safety Awards, being named Mineral Product Supplier of the Year (below £50m) at the 2026 NI Construction Awards, a triple win at the 2024 MPA Health & Safety Awards, and achieving Take 5 Workplace Reaccreditation Level 3 earlier this year.

Together, these accolades reflect AG’s ongoing commitment to its Go Home Safe campaign, maintaining the highest safety standards and creating a workplace where the health, safety and wellbeing of its people always come first.

Reflecting on the campaign, Cathy Maguire, HSEQ Manager at AG, commented:

“October Safety Month is about bringing our people together, encouraging conversations and reminding everyone that safety is a shared responsibility.

It’s been fantastic to see such strong engagement across all our sites, from the Toolbox Talks and interactive activities to our GoHomeSafe Roadshow. Marian Deasy’s powerful story was a particularly important reminder of why we do what we do and the impact our decisions can have on those around us.

The real success of October Safety Month will be measured by what we take forward. We want everyone to feel confident speaking up, challenging unsafe behaviours and taking responsibility for their own safety and that of their colleagues.

Ultimately, our goal is simple: everyone goes home safe, every single day.”

By continuing to promote personal responsibility, encourage open conversations and challenge unsafe behaviours, AG is strengthening its #GoHomeSafe culture and helping to ensure that safety remains at the heart of everything the company does. The message remains simple: everyone has a part to play in making sure their colleagues get home safely, every day.