Spotlight: pole position
Hidden away in the quiet Oxfordshire countryside sits a
multi-million pound factory, where cars capable of producing 110
decibels are being worked on ready for the next race in the highest
class of motor racing – Formula 1. Renault F1 is one of 10 teams
that take part in this ever popular motorsport. John Trigell, Team
Safety Manager, talks to Connect about working in this
fast paced environment…
Behind the glamorous veneer of Formula 1 is a lot of hard work,
not only out on the track with the drivers but back at the factory
where these powerful cars take form. John Trigell says:
“How safely the job’s done at the factory
leads to the job being done safely in the garage at the races,
which ultimately keeps the drivers safe.
“The cars are all made to technical
regulations that are formulated through the sporting body, the FIA,
and the technical people in the teams. Everyone has been very
stringent with safety following Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash in 1994,
and since that accident all drivers have thankfully walked away
unscathed from any incidents.”
Robert Kubica, a driver for the BMW team, was involved in a
terrifying accident in 2007.
“He walked away and his crash was testament
to what’s been put in place. Big changes to the survival cell
design, materials used and on track procedures have been made and
this has worked its way through the culture of all the teams.”
On average there are 25 people in a pit crew who work on the car
during a race. The chance of anyone getting injured is rare – and
that’s down to the safety measures that have been brought in
through the years. An accident in 1994, when the Renault team was
previously Benetton, happened when the fuel hose came off and a
fire broke out. Since then, double automatic cut-offs have been
introduced to avoid fuel coming out if the hose accidentally comes
off the car.
Accidents where pit crew have been run over or dragged along
with the hose are always remembered, but they are fortunately rare.
In total, up to 60 pit stop practices are carried out over the
course of a race weekend.
“Everyone is extremely well practised and
they all know exactly what they need to do during those few seconds
the car’s in the pit. The team does its job safely because
they can’t afford not to. Errors can cost time, the race and even
the world championship.
“I have a helping hand at the races from the
racing body, the FIA, so we’ll look at the risks together. The pit
area is under heavy restrictions and guidelines from the FIA
because the last thing the industry wants is for something to go
wrong and be televised.
Back at the factory, John has responsibility for the safety of
around 475 workers. He covers everything to do with manufacturing
including welding and fabrication, metal machining, oven curing,
electronics, general mechanics as well as the many other processes
that are involved in production of the cars.
John can face challenges when it comes to the cutting edge
technology involved in the industry.
“Sometimes it can test the boundaries of
knowledge and because this sport is shrouded in confidentiality, I
can’t always get advice from outside the business so I have to rely
on the team’s technicians and engineers for an understanding.
“When the Kinetic Energy Recovery System was
introduced on the cars for the 2009 season, I worked with the Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts because they were
using the battery technology in their deep sea rovers. As this
technology hadn’t been used before in the Formula One industry, I
had to research it thoroughly because with new products you never
know what issues could come up.”
The factory is dominated by computer-operated machinery.
“Even though the team doesn’t necessarily
work with these machines, they do have to empty them.
“We have rapid prototyping machines that can
create epoxy dust when emptied. Workers always wear the right
clothing, including gloves and respiratory masks. We also run
comprehensive health programmes and if these flag something up then
we’ll change our working procedures.”
Renault F1’s factory accident rates are low for the number of
people working on site compared to general manufacturing. He uses a
combined Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
code from the manufacturing and entertainment industry. Their
rates are currently 65 per cent lower than industry standard.
Says John:
“The accidents we have are usually very minor
ones such as a graze or nick from a scalpel. We encourage people to
report these minor incidents so we get a good idea of where we have
issues and what those issues are.
“Known issues are then addressed, such as the
scalpel cuts suffered by people working in our composite
department. As these are our most common accidents, we got involved
with the Royal London College of Surgeons, because if anyone knows
how to use a scalpel it’s these guys!
“We’re fortunate to not have many serious
injuries because people take their time. The equipment they’re
working with is so expensive, and if a certain part needs to be at
a circuit then they can’t afford to make mistakes when the clock’s
against them – this certainly lends itself to improving our
statistics.”
In 2006 John saw the need for extra guidance and input. Together
with all the UK F1 teams, a couple of their engine manufacturers,
their insurers and the Silverstone circuit, he formed a safety
group.
“So far it’s been very productive for
problem-solving. Because our manufacturing issues are the same and
we use the same materials, we discuss training ideas, new chemicals
and projects. And ultimately our goal is the same – to get two cars
on the grid as safely as possible.
“Working from a six-page checklist, to make
sure that the 30 tonnes of equipment we pack up and take around the
world runs smoothly and safely, is pretty tough anyway – but add to
that temperatures of 40 degrees in Malaysia and you’ve got a whole
new ball game. The team has such stamina, though, and the amount of
work everyone puts in is remarkable, and that’s something I’m proud
to be part of.”
Factfile:
- John Trigell has been a member of IOSH and the Environmental
and Waste Management Group for six years
- Renault debuted their first car at Silverstone in 1977
- The Renault F1 team has competed in 257 races
Links:
Renault F1
Formula 1
FIA
Quote me
IOSH gets its message across...
The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
IOSH President Nattasha Freeman spoke to The Huddersfield
Daily Examiner about the drop in workplace deaths since last
year. She said:
“We’ve got a huge task to do to make sure
deaths continue to fall, particularly at the time of the recession
when firms want to cut costs. We need workers to continue to be
vigilant and to tell their employers of health and safety concerns
they have.”
Shropshire Star
Nattasha also spoke to the Shropshire Star about the
fall in workplace deaths. She said:
“These figures show the true need for health
and safety in this country. It shows that health and safety isn’t
just mindless bureaucracy, brought in to make life difficult or
prevent us enjoying our lives. It’s about preventing true tragedy
that destroys lives.”
BBC Three Counties Radio
BBC Three Counties Radio interviewed IOSH immediate
past president Ray Hurst about how parents were banned from
attending a school sports day because teachers couldn’t adequately
supervise a large number of adults. Ray said:
“I think this is nonsense and gives health
and safety a bad name. Perhaps it’s a case of somebody thinking
that if something goes wrong, what the consequences are for me as
an individual, and therefore not going ahead with the event.”
Leicester Mercury
The Leicester Mercury talked to a number of local
organisations, including IOSH, to find evidence of any recovery
from the current recession. Caroline Holden, IOSH’s commercial
affairs director, said:
“Our training business is buoyant and we’re
seeing a lot of interest from organisations. Our view would be that
we’re cautiously optimistic, and nurturing and encouraging new and
existing clients is the best recipe for success in the current
climate.”
Facilities Management UK
IOSH Chief Executive Rob Strange told Facilities Management
UK about the Institution’s recently launched manifesto and the
four challenges facing UK workplaces. He said:
“Our manifesto is both a clear statement of
intent and a call to action. It presents what we believe needs to
happen to make the UK a healthy and safe place to work.
“Last year we saw 229 workers killed in
Britain’s workplaces, 229,000 more were injured and in excess of
two million had an illness they put down to their work. To make
consistent improvements on these figures, all of them personal
crises, we call on the government and others to really get behind
the initiatives set out in the manifesto.”
Workplace Law Magazine
IOSH immediate past president Ray Hurst spoke to Workplace
Law Magazine about how health and safety has become a
scapegoat for the media. He said:
“Health and safety is not about stopping
people doing anything – it is about enabling them to do it
safely.”
BBC Radio Derby
Bill Edwards, IOSH’s senior designer, was invited by critically
acclaimed film director Shane Meadows to create the opening credits
to his new film, called Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Zee. He spoke to
BBC Radio Derby and explained how this opportunity came
about:
“I entered a short animation in a competition
on Shane Meadows’ website. Shane was judging the competition and
the idea was that six of the entries would appear as extras on the
DVD of the film.
“But then a few days later, he called me to
say he really liked my animation and wanted me to produce another
for the opening sequence.”