Trainees’ winningmessage on safety

Mar 5 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

TTE Technical Training Group students are driving home an important road safety message.

First year students were given the task of designing a poster as part of a week-long programme of events focusing on safety.

The winning poster was created by two 17-year-old trainees on the Student Engineering Programme (STEP) - Sean Henderson from Middlesbrough and Chris Cane from Billingham. The pair, who are both studying electrical instrumentation, will each receive a £50 gift voucher.

The winning design was a striking illustration of the dangers of the potentially lethal combination of drinking and driving. It warns “Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and dangerous. Don’t do the Ds! – Drink + Drive > Death”.

TTE’s Safety Week Health and Safety in the workplace topics range from fire safety, accident reporting, first aid, and the safe use of access equipment.

Representatives from local companies also addressed the students about on-site safety procedures.

The winning duo drew their inspiration from a scheme spearheaded by Cleveland Fire Brigade and supported by Redcar & Cleveland Council and the local police.

Steve Brodie, from Cleveland Fire Brigade, who visits schools and colleges delivering presentations, had, in the past, talked to TTE trainees about road safety.

He was pleased the road safety message has had an impact on the students and would like to use the poster as part of his work.

About 230 first year TTE students were involved in Safety week and were given the opportunity of taking part in the competition.

A shortlist of entries was presented to the TTE board including representatives from engineering and industrial sectors, which chose the winner.

Keith Leslie, TTE Apprenticeship business director, said: “Safety is of the utmost importance in all aspects of people’s lives, but especially in the workplace.

“We find this competition helps concentrate the students’ minds when it comes to safety and reinforces the range of subjects, which are delivered to them during the week.

“The entries were of a high standard. The winning poster certainly catches people’s attention and helps hammer home an important safety message in a way that is easy to understand.

“The quality of the design is reflected by the fact that Cleveland Fire Brigade has expressed an interest in using it as part of its road safety campaign and is an extra pat on the back for the creativity of our students.”