Wates Group is firming up its commitment to health and safety by deploying defibrillators throughout its projects and contracts.
From its UK HQ in Leatherhead, Surrey, the group will be partnering with Cardiac Science to distribute Powerheart G5 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to help both experienced and first-time rescuers to act quickly and confidently in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) emergency.
Wates employs more than 4,000 people and works with more than 10,000 supply-chain operatives and partners to successfully deliver projects throughout the UK.
The agreement will make the G5 AEDs available to all Wates Group employees across its businesses and will be sourced through a mix of purchase for longer-term projects and weekly hire for shorter term contracts.
The partnership in the defibrillator scheme is part of Wates’ commitment to employee health and wellbeing and its Zero Harm strategy, which calls on all employees to take responsibility for their own and others’ safety.
The Wates Group will also be taking advantage of Cardiac Science’s online learning modules – called CardiAcademy – to help employees increase their knowledge around SCAs and how to use the G5 AED technology with confidence.
Kelly Osborne, occupational health manager at the Wates Group, commented: “By deploying defibrillators and educating our people on their benefits and use we will enable them to take action as required, which could save a life.
“It’s something that we hope will never be required but we want all of our colleagues whether they are site or office based to have access to the best possible equipment in the event of a medical emergency of this nature.”
The Powerheart G5 defibrillators are the first AEDs to combine real-time rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidance, customised patient therapy and fast shock times.
Wates chose the Cardiac Science unit due to its innovative features, including the rigorous self-checking regime to ensure that each AED will perform to expectations in an emergency and the iCPR electrodes, which prompt effective chest compressions and depth, and variable escalating energy shock capacity.
