Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) has reaffirmed its commitment to leading standards in workplace health and safety through its 2025 Safety Leaders’ Conference, held on Tuesday 15 July at the Kingscroft Hotel in Pontefract.
Bringing together 80 senior leaders from across the Group’s five business divisions, the conference provided a platform to share best practice, drive innovation, and reinforce the Group-wide commitment to a common goal: ensuring everyone goes home safe, every day.
“Health and safety is at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr Greg Ward, Group CEO. “This is about strengthening our culture, sharing what works, and making sure that across every site and every service, people are protected — always.”
Turning Insight Into Action: Safety Performance and Priorities
Group Senior HSE Director Heath Ralphson presented a review of safety performance for 2024/25. While lost time injuries (LTIs) continue to decline, manual handling and slips or trips remain the leading causes, with high-risk activities such as working at height, road use, chemical handling and electrical operations also under the spotlight.
A standout initiative from PTSG’s Fire Solutions division — a proactive, cloud-based hazard reporting system — has already logged over 1,900 potential issues since 2022. This system enables the early identification of risks and near misses, allowing teams to act before incidents occur.
Jim Dawson, HSE Leader for Building Access Specialists, underscored the importance of feedback. “When colleagues know their reports lead to change, a genuine culture shift takes place,” he said. “Risk isn’t something we should just manage — it must be actively reduced.”
Training as a Safety Enabler
Paul Campbell, Group VQ Assessor and Trainer, emphasised the value of professional development in shaping a high-performance safety culture. With qualifications from IOSH, IRATA, ATLAS and other leading bodies, PTSG’s engineers are empowered to deliver safe and compliant service every day.
“Training should never be seen as an add-on,” he said. “It’s a privilege that strengthens how we work and helps build a responsible mindset across the Group.”
Fleet Safety Through Technology
PTSG’s investment in its vehicle fleet continues, with new hybrid vehicles and the Group-wide rollout of Lightfoot Telematics now covering more than 1,600 vehicles. The technology uses real-time data and analytics to improve driving behaviour, reduce fuel use and lower incident rates.
Steve Hardman, Group Fleet and Purchasing Manager, described fleet safety as critical:
“Our drivers, the public and our clients all benefit from safer, more efficient vehicle use. Responsible fleet management protects people and supports overall performance.” Dr Greg Ward added: “Fleet management isn’t just a logistics function — it’s a core safety discipline.”
Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing
Group HSE Director Terry Wilcock delivered a compelling session on the importance of mental health. With 62 trained Mental Health First Aiders now active across the Group and additional training planned, the focus is on creating a workplace where every individual feels supported.
“Mental wellbeing is every bit as important as physical safety,” he said. “We must recognise the signs, listen without judgement, and ensure support is always available. That’s how we create a workplace where people can truly thrive.”
Recognising Excellence in Safety Leadership
The event concluded with the presentation of PTSG’s Great Safety Leaders Awards, recognising individuals who go above and beyond in promoting a strong safety culture.
- Richard Fernandez-Law received the Great Safety Leadership Award for his technical innovation and leadership at Heathrow Airport.
- Peter Gallagher received the Individual Safety Contribution Award for administering life-saving CPR to a member of the public at a client site.
These awards highlight the essential role that leadership, vigilance and proactive behaviours play in protecting people and driving continuous improvement.
By bringing together operational insights, lived experiences, ad practical innovation, the 2025 Safety Leaders’ Conference demonstrated how PTSG continues to embed a safety culture that is instinctive, not just instructed — where care, competence, and responsibility are second nature across every part of the Group.
