Health & safety is a core priority at Rihoy & Son, underpinning everything we do across our projects. As part of our continued commitment to maintaining the highest standards, we recently spoke with Health & Safety Manager, David Lee, about the realities of managing risk on site, building a strong safety culture across a large workforce, and the thinking behind our new Health & Safety Handbook.
- What drew you to take on the Health and Safety Manager role at Rihoy & Son?
Rihoy & Son’s 100-year legacy and its reputation for delivering complex, high-quality projects in Guernsey’s unique environment immediately stood out to me. Construction on the island presents specific challenges, from legislative differences compared to the UK to logistical & resource constraints, all of which require a practical well-considered approach to health & safety.
I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to join an experienced and capable team, contributing fresh perspective and building upon an already strong foundation. The diversity of projects across the business also appealed to me, no two projects are the same and each brings its own set of challenges. At this stage of my career, it felt like the right environment to both add value and continue developing as a leader.
- Can you describe your core responsibilities in your new role?
My core responsibility is to ensure compliance with legislative requirements and Rihoy & Son’s internal standards across all projects, while driving continuous improvement in how we manage risk as a business.
However, the role extends beyond governance and auditing. A key part of my focus is visible leadership, working closely with site personnel and strengthening a proactive and resilient safety culture across the organization.
- How does the new Health and Safety Handbook support our site team’s day to day?
The Health & Safety Handbook provides a clear and accessible framework for our company standards and expectations. It simplifies what can sometimes be complex requirements and ensures consistency across all projects.
We are currently rolling out the handbook across the business and I am personally leading toolbox talks on site to demonstrate how the Handbook can be used day to day. It is not intended to sit on a shelf as a compliance document, it is a practical working tool designed to support decision making, reinforce safe behaviors and ensure everyone goes home safely every day.
- What are the key safety risks you’re focusing on across our projects?
Across our projects, we focus on high-risk activities that have the greatest potential for impact, these include:
- Working at height
- Lifting operations
- Management of temporary work’s
- Sub-contractor integration
- Mobile plant operation
By prioritizing these high-risk areas, we ensure planning, supervision and controls are proportionate to the level of risk and consistently applied across our sites.
- How do you build a strong safety culture among such a large workforce at Rihoy & Son?
A strong safety culture is built through leadership, visibility & accountability. It cannot be achieved through policy alone.
I prioritize regular site presence and meaningful engagement with the workforce. When leaders demonstrate that safety genuinely matters, through their actions and decisions, the standard filters through the organization.
Safety is not enforced through fear; it is strengthened through ownership. Every individual must recognize their responsibility not only for their own safety but for that of their colleagues.
- The handbook highlights mental health as part of safety – how are you approaching that?
Mental health is inseparable from physical safety. Someone struggling with their mental wellbeing can be at greater risk in the construction environment.
Our responsibility extends beyond controlling physical hazards. It includes promoting awareness, encouraging open conversations and ensuring employees feel supported. By recognizing mental health as an integral part of health and safety, we create a safer and more professional work environment for everyone.
- What one message from the booklet do you want every team member to remember?
I have taken an extract out of Managing Director Dan Taylor’s message to all Rihoy & Son employees at the start of the book.
“Your actions and attitude make a difference – not only to your own safety but to that of your colleagues. We all have a role to play in maintaining a safe and professional workplace.”
Safety is not the responsibility of one individual or department; it requires commitment at every level of the organisation. Without collective accountability incidents cannot be prevented and standards cannot be maintained.
