AG has successfully concluded another impactful October Safety Month, a key event in our year-round #GoHomeSafe campaign, which is dedicated to ensuring that everyone who steps onto an AG site returns home safely. This month-long initiative, filled with weekly safety themes, practical workshops, and community-building activities, reinforces our commitment to safety as both a personal responsibility and a shared priority.

October Safety Month is a true reflection of AG’s core values: Innovation, Integrity, Customer Care, Wellbeing, and Sustainability. Through innovative safety practices, a steadfast commitment to integrity in all we do, and a focus on customer care that extends to each team member, we demonstrate that wellbeing is at the heart of our operations. This dedication underpins our continuous efforts to foster a safe, sustainable work environment for all.

Each October, we amplify these values by focusing on essential aspects of health, safety, and injury prevention. This year, we dedicated each week to one of five key themes:

Week 1: Lock Out & Isolation

The month began with a strong focus on Lock Out and Isolation, highlighting our Lockout and Tagout (LOTO) procedures designed to prevent machinery-related accidents. Throughout the first week of October, toolbox talks and refresher training sessions were conducted across all AG sites, reinforcing the crucial role these protocols play in reducing risk. Employees have been encouraged to treat their personal padlock and tag as essential PPE—vital tools that protect both their own safety and that of their colleagues.

This proactive approach has led to significant recognition in 2024, with AG receiving a Higher Distinction at both the NISO and NISG annual All Ireland Occupational Health and Safety Awards. Furthermore, our ‘Lock-Tag-Live’ initiative (the personal padlock and tag programme) has earned AG shortlisting at this year’s MPA Health and Safety Awards for ‘Safer Production’ and the British Construction Industry Awards for ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year.’

Learn more about our award-winning LOTO procedures below.

Week 2: Wellbeing

October’s second week was dedicated to Wellbeing, coinciding with World Mental Health Day and marking the launch of AG’s new internal Wellbeing Hub. This resource consolidates essential information on our Activ8 wellbeing programme, which incorporates the ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ framework to support both physical and mental health. The success of Activ8 has earned AG prestigious recognition this year, including shortlisting at the MPA Health and Safety Awards for ‘Safer through Improvements in Health and Wellbeing,’ as well as winning the Wellbeing at Work award at the Business in the Community (BITC) Responsible Business Awards.

Throughout Wellbeing Week, staff engaged with mental health resources, explored our wellbeing benefits, and learned about upcoming Activ8 events. To foster connection and support, “Time to Talk” sessions were held at all AG sites, providing a relaxed environment for team members to discuss wellbeing topics, connect over tea, and recharge.

To further support Wellbeing Week, AG organised a bingo and burger night in Fivemiletown, where employees had the chance to unwind and enjoy some friendly competition. The event was a great success, raising over £1,000 for our nominated charity partner, Air Ambulance NI, contributing to our annual fundraising total for 2024.

Learn more about our award-winning Activ8 programme below.

Week 3: Personal Responsibility & Ownership

Week 3 focused on the importance of individual responsibility in workplace safety, with the slogan “STOP & THINK” urging employees to continue making safety a personal commitment. The week also highlighted our Good Catch programme, which empowers staff to report safety observations to help prevent accidents or injuries. This initiative encourages staff to submit safety observations through the current HSEQ software, with prizes awarded each month for the best submissions, along with an overall annual winner.

In line with our ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and compliance, we announced the transition to a new HSEQ software platform in October, with the changeover scheduled for the coming weeks. This new system will build upon the Good Catch initiative, offering improved functionality to better meet our needs, streamline key processes, and enhance reporting across various Health and Safety areas, including daily checks, permits to work, and transport compliance—all aimed at fostering a safer working environment.

View our video used as part of our internal campaign for Week 3 below:

Week 4: Workplace Transport

Workplace transport safety plays a critical role in reducing vehicle-related risks across our sites, and Workplace Transport Week this October reinforced this priority. Building on the Forklift and Mobile Plant Machinery Safety Month held in June, the week reminded employees of essential safety measures, including daily pre-use vehicle inspections, ensuring clear visibility with high-visibility PPE, and strictly adhering to designated pedestrian routes. By following the principles of Safe Site, Safe Vehicle, and Safe Driver, AG continues to prioritise pedestrian and vehicle safety, further strengthening our commitment to the #GoHomeSafe campaign and our mission to #DriveDangerOut across all sites.

This week’s activities also included a community engagement initiative where we provided high-visibility vests to Clogher Valley Playgroup, teaching young children about the importance of visibility and safety around vehicles. Additionally, we hosted leaders from our haulage partners at our Fivemiletown site to showcase our latest HSEQ improvements and discuss our sustainability ambitions. The event underscored our commitment to sharing best practices with our supply chain, collaborating to elevate safety standards, and ensuring a safer working environment for all.

Week 5: Hand Injury Prevention

The final week of Safety Month centred on preventing hand injuries, a common risk in our industry. To support this initiative, a representative from SC Johnson visited AG sites, providing valuable advice on barrier and protection creams, along with samples for staff to incorporate into their daily routines. The HSEQ team also led practical sessions on LOTO procedures, equipment checks, and the proper use of task-specific gloves, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that everyone goes home safe.

Throughout Safety Month, each week featured a key safety theme, with slogans that emphasised the personal responsibility each of us carries for safety. The slogan for Week 5, “Safety is in Your Hands,” highlighted the crucial role our hands play in our work—and how our actions directly impact the safety of ourselves and our colleagues. This message echoed throughout the month, as each week’s slogan was reinforced via AG’s internal communications and through the “Guess the Safety Slogan” competition, which added an element of fun and engagement. Randomly selected employees recited the weekly slogans for a chance to win prizes like a Lenovo tablet or a Tefal air fryer.

The annual October Safety Month continues to play a crucial role in reinforcing the #GoHomeSafe culture across AG. By embedding safety principles into our daily routines, we aim to make every AG site a safer place to work—because safety is a responsibility we all share.

Commenting on the success of 2024’s Safety Month, Cathy Maguire, HSEQ Manager, said, “This year’s Safety Month has been a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to strengthen safety across all AG sites. We’re proud to have seen tangible results from our initiatives—most importantly ensuring that each employee, contractor and visitor goes home safe. The submission of over 1,300 Good Catches is a clear testament to the active participation of our employees in making safety a top priority. Additionally, with 11 months without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) so far this year and an reduction in overall site injuries highlights our commitment to continually improving our Health & Safety Performance. At AG, we are committed to leading by example, and that extends beyond our own sites. There is no competition when it comes to safety, and we’re proud to share our best practices industry-wide to help raise standards for everyone.”