Safety First: Nurturing our Core Values in the Widnes Workshop

At Suttons International, Safety First is more than a box-ticking exercise, it’s our daily commitment to protecting people, the environment, and customers. In one of the most safety-critical environments within the business, the Widnes Depot, this principle is embedded in every task and decision.

Head of Depot Operations UK Alan Davenport who leads the team at Widnes discusses his insights on how he and the team brings our core value of Safety First to life, how colleagues are empowered to act, and how this commitment supports Suttons’ wider operational goals to deliver life’s essentials safely and sustainably.

The guiding principle is simple: if a task can’t be done safely, it doesn’t get done. This ethos is deeply embedded across the team. At our Widnes depot, every colleague, from the workshop to the washbay to the administration staff, is empowered to stop work immediately if they feel something isn’t safe. That empowerment is backed by a culture where raising a concern carries no repercussions, only respect.

Maintaining a safe site is a shared responsibility. Regular audits, weekly checks, and monthly safety stand-downs form the foundation of a proactive approach to risk management. These routines are supported by open-door sessions that encourage honest dialogue and reinforce psychological safety. Safety isn’t confined to paperwork or policies, it’s something the team lives and breathes every day.

New starters are introduced to Suttons’ high standards around vigilance, communication, and accountability from the outset. Concerns are not only encouraged but visibly acted upon, with clear feedback loops to show that reports are taken seriously and resolved effectively. This responsiveness helps build trust and reinforces the message that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

This is backed up by our robust training framework. All staff complete accredited “IOSH Working Safely” courses, with managers and supervisors undertaking more advanced training. Mandatory instruction in working at height, confined spaces, COSHH awareness, abrasive wheels, and emergency response is complemented by specialised roles, such as first aiders and fire marshals. This training isn’t treated as a one-off requirement, it’s part of a broader effort to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence to act.

Each Standard Operating Procedure includes defined “Stop the Job” and “Don’t Start the Job” triggers. These are more than just prompts, they are formal acknowledgements that everyone has the authority and responsibility to pause operations if something isn’t right, to strengthen individual accountability across the team.

One of the most effective demonstrations of our Safety First value has been the growth of our self-policing safety culture. Team members take ownership of their working areas and regularly carry out housekeeping inspections, reinforcing personal responsibility. Monthly safety stand-downs, led by the Head of Depot Operations UK, have opened dialogue across all levels of the team, leading to meaningful improvements in how safety issues are raised, discussed, and resolved. Structured reporting processes, including near-miss tracking, safety meetings, and employee engagement sessions ensure that concerns are not only heard, but acted upon. Crucially, every action taken is fed back in a transparent and traceable way.

The result is a team that feels safe, respected, and motivated. This commitment to safety doesn’t just protect people, it enables performance. When individuals feel secure and listened to, they bring their best to work. That’s a core part of what operational excellence looks like at Suttons.

The message to the wider business is clear: safety is the foundation of success, especially in hazardous environments or when dealing with potentially hazardous products. Creating space for open conversation and encouraging people to speak up leads to better outcomes, and in some cases, prevents life-changing consequences. A short delay in a task is always preferable to a call no one ever wants to make.