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Winter Working: Be Prepared, Stay Safe​As the winter months set in across the UK, teams working on rail, highways, and infrastructure projects face new challenges that come with shorter days, cold temperatures, and unpredictable weather. At Ganymede, safety is always our top priority, and during the colder months, preparation and vigilance become even more critical.Working outdoors in winter brings added risks such as slips, trips, and falls, reduced visibility, and fatigue. By planning ahead and following best practice, we can make sure every shift ends safely.​Dress for the ConditionsLayering is key. Thermal base layers, waterproof outerwear, and properly fitted high-visibility gear help maintain warmth and visibility in changing conditions. Always check your PPE for wear and tear before starting your shift, especially gloves, jackets, and boots.Check Your BootsGood traction can make all the difference. Ensure your boots have sufficient grip for icy or muddy conditions and keep spare pairs of socks to avoid working with damp feet. This small step prevents cold stress and maintains comfort throughout the day.Stay VisibleWith fewer daylight hours, visibility is vital for both safety and productivity. Test your torches, ensure site lighting is adequate, and check reflective strips on clothing. Proper visibility reduces the risk of accidents, especially near moving vehicles or live worksites.Fuel Up and Stay HydratedCold weather can mask signs of dehydration. Keep a reusable water bottle close by and take regular breaks to eat high-energy snacks. Fuelling your body helps maintain alertness and stamina throughout your shift.Inspect Vehicles and EquipmentCold temperatures can affect battery life, tyre pressure, and fluid levels. Always perform pre-shift checks on vehicles and machinery, and ensure de-icing equipment is ready to use. Proper maintenance reduces the risk of breakdowns and delays in harsh conditions.Be Aware of FatigueWorking in the cold can be physically draining. Fatigue reduces concentration and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents. Take regular breaks in warm areas, and if you notice a colleague struggling, check in. We all have a duty to look out for one another.To learn more about managing fatigue and how it affects safety, check out our 13-part series on fatigue here.Report Hazards PromptlyNever ignore icy surfaces, poor lighting, or damaged PPE. Reporting hazards early prevents accidents and protects everyone on site. Safety is a shared responsibility, and proactive communication saves lives.Know Your Emergency PlanEnsure your phone and torch are fully charged before each shift. Familiarise yourself with your site’s emergency procedures, exits, and contact numbers. Preparation ensures quick and effective action if an incident occurs.​Looking After People, AlwaysAt Ganymede, we understand that our people are the foundation of everything we do. Through our tailored workforce solutions, including full HSEQ support, PPE provision, and compliance management, we help ensure that every operative has the tools, resources, and protection they need to work safely and effectively in all conditions.As the weather turns colder, take the time to prepare properly, stay alert, and look out for one another.Safety First. Safety Always.​

Powering Net Zero: Workforce Strategies Conference Wednesday 18th March 2026 | Derby Conference Centre​Ganymede Solutions is proud to host Powering Net Zero: Workforce Strategies Conference, a major Net Zero skills event at the Derby Conference Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026.This sustainability conference will bring together leading experts from the UK energy and utilities sector to explore one of the most urgent challenges of our time: how to achieve ambitious Net Zero targets while tackling a growing skills shortage.Delegates will hear about proven solutions for managing operational teams, how behavioural science and innovation can improve workforce performance, and practical steps to build the skilled, sustainable energy workforce our future demands.The Derby Conference Centre, home to Ganymede’s headquarters and a venue with recognised environmental accreditation, provides the perfect location for this important conversation.​Keynote Speakers at the Net Zero Skills Event​Jules Reed, Behavioural Scientist, Ganymede SolutionsExploring how behavioural science can help organisations understand human factors, support operational workforces, and manage cultural change effectively.James Naughton, Senior Improvement and Integration Manager, OVODiscussing the role of AI in human decision making, processes, and safe operations, with practical examples from OVO’s implementation journey.Vardaan Shekhawat, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, ECITBHighlighting the challenge of sourcing and developing the 400000 workers needed by 2030 to achieve Net Zero targets, and how industry can respond.Andy Taylor, Partnerships Director, Band of BuildersAddressing mental health in the energy and utilities industry and how businesses can create supportive environments for their operational teams.​Event Details​📍 Venue: The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby📅 Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026⏰ Time: 9:20 - 2:30, including complimentary refreshments and lunch​Who Should Attend This Net Zero and Sustainability Event?​This event is designed for:Business leaders in energy and utilitiesHR professionals and workforce plannersOperational managers and business improvement specialistsEngineers, Operatives, and ApprenticesAnyone passionate about Net Zero, sustainability, and the future of the UK energy industry​Why Attend the Powering Net Zero Event?​This unique Net Zero conference in Derby offers the chance to hear directly from industry leaders, share experiences, and gain practical strategies to take back to your organisation. Alongside expert talks, there will be valuable opportunities for networking and discussion with peers across the energy and utilities sector.Click here to register for your free place at the Derby Conference Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026, for the UK’s leading Net Zero skills event, run by Ganymede.

​Ganymede Supports Future Talent at Littleover School Mock Interview DayHelping Year 11 Students Build Confidence for Their Future Careers​Ganymede is proud to support future talent through meaningful community engagement. As part of our volunteering opportunities, Lauren Bradford, Head of Compliance and Assurance, visited Littleover Community School to take part in their Year 11 mock interview day.​​Lauren found the conversations uplifting. Many of the pupils had never taken part in a formal interview before, and for some it was one of the first times they had spoken to an unfamiliar adult in a structured environment. Even so, the students approached each conversation with maturity, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn. Their confidence grew quickly as they settled into the discussions and began expressing their interests and ambitions with increasing ease.​The day highlighted something we see across the industries we support. When people are given space, guidance, and the chance to try something new. Potential becomes progress. The students’ openness made the experience rewarding and demonstrated how impactful early career support can be. It also reflected the values that guide how we work at Ganymede, where people sit at the centre of everything we do and where our commitment to supporting local communities plays a role in helping young people prepare for their future careers.​​Lauren described the students as a credit to the school. Their honesty, enthusiasm, and readiness to embrace the experience made the day memorable. Taking part in the mock interview event was time well spent and reinforced why volunteering remains an important part of how we contribute to the communities we work within.

Spreading festive joy through Revive’s Secret Santa Appeal​Ganymede is delighted to share that the team has once again taken part in the Revive Healthy Living Centre Secret Santa Appeal. A group from Ganymede joined together to put together gifts for ten children from three families. Each child had created a personal wish list, and the team took great pleasure in matching those wishes with presents that will help make their Christmas feel a little brighter. ​The appeal supports children in Derby who are facing incredibly tough circumstances, so it remains a privilege for Ganymede to play a part in this effort. Referrals are still coming through to Revive even in December, and they are working tirelessly to reach as many children as possible. It is already clear that the number of children they will be supporting this year is set to be higher than ever.Thank you to everyone involved for their enthusiasm and generosity. Taking part in Secret Santa has become a tradition the team genuinely looks forward to, and this year has been no exception. A brilliant team effort, and a great way to begin the festive season.​​

Understanding the Upcoming Umbrella Company Legislation and Joint & Several Liability​​On 6 April 2026, new rules under the Finance Bill 2025-26, introduced through the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, will come into force, changing how responsibility for PAYE and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) is shared across labour supply chains. The legislation introduces joint and several liability, meaning that liability for unpaid tax can extend beyond the umbrella company to include recruitment agencies and, in some cases, end clients.​Implications for Agencies and ClientsWhile the legislation aims to raise standards and reduce non-compliance across the umbrella market, it represents a significant change in risk allocation. HMRC will have discretion to pursue any party in the chain, whether the umbrella, agency, or client, for unpaid PAYE and NICs. This creates a strong incentive for all parties to maintain oversight and ensure compliance throughout the supply chain.The position for clients is also important, as liability can extend to an end client if the umbrella company is engaged directly, or where the umbrella is engaged through a connected person. This might include a parent company, subsidiary, or another entity with shared ownership or control. In other words, liability may arise even where the contractual structure appears at first glance to sit elsewhere in the chain.​Ganymede’s ApproachAs an FCSA Recruiter Partner, Ganymede is working closely with its umbrella supply chain to maintain transparency and oversight. The focus is on due diligence, compliance monitoring, and collaboration across the supply chain to strengthen accountability. These measures are designed to ensure that all parties in the chain operate in line with the new legislation, helping to safeguard both Ganymede and our clients from potential exposure under the joint and several liability rules.​We have also sought the perspective of the FCSA to reflect the wider industry approach. Deb Murphy, Head of Operations at the FCSA, said:“Joint and several liability makes one thing absolutely clear, every link in the supply chain needs to be confident in who they are working with and how compliance is being managed.Using accredited providers is more important than ever, and FCSA Accreditation gives agencies and clients independent assurance that the umbrellas they engage meet the highest standards. In addition, tools like veriPAYE and Diligence Hub add an extra layer of transparency, allowing agencies to evidence payslip compliance, review financial stability, and maintain clear oversight. Strong partnerships, open communication, and consistently checking the basics will make all the difference as the new rules come into force.”This reinforces the importance of awareness across the supply chain and careful preparation ahead of the new legislation.​More information on the draft legislation can be found here.

​​The Winter 2025 edition of Safety First, Ganymede’s quarterly safety newsletter is now available to read.​In this edition we focus on:​Spotlight on Safety Lessons LearntProtecting Rail Workers from Industrial DiseasesClose callsNetwork Rail Life Saving RulesWinterisation: Be Prepared, Stay Safe​Key messagesSentinel Logbook - Quick guide to the new processDeclaration of Secondary EmploymentSubcontractor Forum​Read the Winter 2025 Safety First Newsletter here​As always, we trust you will find the newsletter useful and engaging. If you have any questions or feedback after reading this edition of Safety First, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below.​​​