Highways

We are delighted to announce that Ganymede have signed up to the Prompt Payment Code (PPC).The PPC is a voluntary code of practice for businesses, administered by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) on behalf of BEIS. It was established in December 2008 and sets standards for payment practices between organisations of any size and their suppliers.​As a signatory Ganymede have undertaken to:​1) Pay suppliers on timewithin the terms agreed at the outset of the contractwithout attempting to change payment terms retrospectivelywithout changing practice on length of payment for smaller companies on unreasonable grounds2) Give clear guidance to suppliersproviding suppliers with clear and easily accessible guidance on payment proceduresensuring there is a system for dealing with complaints and disputes which is communicated to suppliersadvising them promptly if there is any reason why an invoice will not be paid to the agreed terms3) Encourage good practiceby requesting that lead suppliers encourage adoption of the code throughout their own supply chains​Get In TouchFor more information about how we can support your business, please get in touch today by filling out the contact form below.​

Ganymede have been working with Phormular on the design and manufacture of protective screens to be fitted in all multi-seat vehicles. The screens are made from 16mm thick hexagon card and coated with an easy-clean plastic coating. While still offering the durability and ease of cleaning they have tested to be stronger than an acrylic sheet and from an environmental point of view, they are 99.9% recyclable at the end of their useful life. ​​Benefits Along with the obvious benefit of preventing the transmission of Covid-19, with the screens being printable, they also provide an excellent way of reminding all staff of the social distancing and hygiene requirements. In the unlikely event that the vehicle breaks down, it is also incredibly simple for the driver to remove and re-fit the screens into any replacement vehicle provided, meaning the team can be back up and running with minimal impact to their working day.​The screens are an additional measure to enhance our robust procedure of protecting our workforce and help prevent the spread of the coronavirus while travelling in our vehicles to and from site. The screens not only ensure social distancing but give the added benefit to individuals peace of mind ensuring they feel safe and are COVID-19 secure - Gary Lobue, Head of HSEQ. ​​Get in Touch For more information about our new protective screens fill out the contact form below.​​​

As businesses begin to plan how to re-open workplaces and mobilise their staff, managing health and safety in line with Government guidance is a critical part of the planning process. So, how do businesses ensure their staff can continue to work while staying safe? To help you operate your worksite or workplace safely, Ganymede can support your business with dedicated COVID-19 marshals during the coronavirus pandemic.​Supporting the industry to stay safe​As a primary labour supplier to Network Rail, we continue to support the maintenance and delivery of rail infrastructure projects to help keep Britain moving. In line with our culture of Safety First, Safety Always, COVID-19 marshals have been deployed across rail sites to ensure work is carried out safely while adhering to Government guidance. ​We are taking this best practice from the rail industry and sharing it across other sectors. COVID-19 marshals can be deployed to any work environment and any industry. ​How a COVID-19 marshal can help you​​Our dedicated COVID-19 marshals can support and manage:​Social Distancing - Your workplace will be supervised ensuring the 2-metre social distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times.Correct PPE - Where a 2-metre distance can’t be maintained, they will ensure all staff have the correct PPE for the task to be carried out. Welfare Facilities will be supervised and work surfaces will be regularly disinfected including contact points such as door handles.Transport Checks - Vehicle occupancy will be regularly checked and marshalled in line with Government guidance.​Here to support you​As a national workforce provider of skilled personnel in safety-critical environments, we have experienced people to help you through these challenging times. So whether you're a small or large business, our COVID-19 marshals will address the concerns you may have such as:How can I maintain social distancing on my worksite/workplace?How to ensure my staff are safe on my worksite/workplace? How will I manage my site/workplace in line with coronavirus (COVID-19) health and safety guidance?​Contact Us​For information and advice on how Ganymede can help your business, call us on 01332 861326 or email info@ganymedesolutions.co.uk.​​​​DOWNLOAD GANYMEDE COVID-19 MARSHAL FLYER

Unemployment is one of the key drivers behind poverty which can have a deep impact on the communities we work within. As part of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and our continued drive to benefit our local communities, Ganymede has collaborated with local training providers over the last two years to develop and run specialist employment programmes. So far, we have designed and delivered these programmes within the rail industry in partnership with local training providers, such as Intertrain. The programmes are targeted at giving participants training, qualifications and finally the opportunity of work with Ganymede. The courses are held at several locations across the UK including Doncaster, Leeds, Portsmouth, London and Liverpool. Our team of resourcers have ensured that majority of those who graduated from the course have gained enough rail experience to earn consistent working hours on the railway. ​Case StudyLewis Hutchinson was one of the individuals who went through the training programme. This is Lewis’ heart-warming story of how our programme helped him get back on his feet: Lewis had worked in the retail sector since he was 16 and worked hard to progress into becoming a manager. Unfortunately, he was in a road traffic accident that left him unable to drive and return to work in that position. This left Lewis out of work for the first time in his life and needing a change of career.Lewis learnt about our training programme through one of our local training providers and joined the course. The course lasted for three months and during the course, Lewis gained his PTS qualification, completed his ICI, had a full track induction and completed practical tests allowing him to go work on the railway.Lewis said, “without Ganymede’s training scheme, I really can’t tell you where I would be. I've always been interested in the railway and I absolutely love working on track. I couldn’t be happier with the work provided and I enjoy working somewhere different each day, it’s been great!” Since completing his training, Lewis has worked regular shifts and has successfully come out of mentorship and has earned his white hat. He is now working consistent hours with Ganymede and is enjoying his career in the railway.​Our Core ValuesAt Ganymede, our core values that include being Socially Responsible and People are our Passion, are demonstrated by this programme. We’re proud to support people trying to escape unemployment and help the communities we work within. To date we have helped over 170 people with our programme and hope to increase that number year on year. We are also looking to go beyond the rail industry by extending our training across the construction industry. ​Contact UsIf you would like more information about the training programme or how Ganymede is helping communities, contact us by completing the form below.​​​

Ganymede is delighted to have recently passed our annual Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS) audit with flying colours. This year's audit posed new challenges due to the current climate but the team did exceptionally well to adapt and complete the entire audit online. The RISQS audit is extremely important as it demonstrates to our clients that we are a trusted and accredited partner to the UK rail industry. The audit was completed with no observations, no major or minor non-conformances, we were highly praised and received positives for: Regular On Site AuditsThe auditor was impressed with the fact that we actively monitor and undertake audits on site and our management systems including our time sheet procedure. These audits which are undertaken by our Health and Safety Advisor and staff members show how we manage our workforce and effectively monitor their safe working hours. Thorough Communication ProcedureOur thorough communication procedures were highlighted as a strong positive. In particular, our survey that was undertaken on the behavioural safety of our workforce to identify safety concerns of each individual.Thorough Recruitment and Induction ProcedureOur thorough recruitment and induction procedure which shows we actively manage and record our recruitment was also a big hit. Our approach was witnessed as proactive and pragmatic.​Gary Lobue, Head of HSEQ at Ganymede said: This has been a very challenging audit, especially as it had to be carried out online due to the current climate surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus). However, we are really pleased with the outcome of the audit our especially after receiving such positive feedback from the auditor. The audit was very in depth due to the products and services we supply to Network Rail but it is satisfying and assuring to know that our HSEQ and compliance procedures meets all Network Rail’s requirements and industry legislation. At Ganymede, our culture of Safety First, Safety Always means we always put safety first in everything that we do, and we believe our long list of accreditations and memberships support this. These include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, OHSAS 18001, FORS, IOSH, British Safety Council, Track Safety Alliance, The ARTP, IOSH, RICA and Supply Chain School.​What is RISQS?Buyers of products and services throughout the UK rail industry use RSSB RISQS as their supplier qualification service. In short, RISQS help suppliers sell in to the UK rail industry by providing an open, fair and transparent way for them to be formally recognised as capable providers of products and services. They support Network Rail, Transport for London, passenger and freight operating companies, rolling stock organisations, main infrastructure contractors and many other buying organisations in the management of supply chain risk.​​Contact Us Use the form below to contact us today about how we can add value to your business.

A Dedicated Voice for Inclusive Collaboration by Everyone (A.D.V.I.C.E) is an official health and wellbeing scheme, comprised of contractors, principal contractors and clients within the rail and construction industries. A.D.V.I.C.E is covers specifics topics every couple of months, and the next topic is focused on gambling. Gambling is a popular leisure activity that is enjoyed by many. There are lots of ways to gamble including playing the lottery, bingo, betting on sports, casino games or playing machines.45% of people aged 16 and over will have taken part in some form of gambling activity during the last four weeks. The most popular form of gambling is playing the National Lottery, and for many people this is the only gambling they do. The most popular form of betting activity is on football and online gambling is on the increase.(Source: Gambling Commission)​What is gambling?In the Gambling Act 2005, gambling is defined as betting, gaming or participating in a lottery. This distinguishes between activities which need to be licenced and other activities that don’t. Different forms of gambling include:Arcades (those for adults and those for families)Betting (online, at an event or high street bookmaker)Bingo (online or in a bingo hall)Casino (online or at a casino)Lotteries (raffles, tombolas, sweepstakes etc)Gaming machines (fruit machines, fixed odds betting terminal etc)​Safer (Responsible) GamblingKeeping gambling safe is all about setting limits. This could be as simple as deciding before you start how much money and time you will allow for the next time you gamble. Many people can stick to these self-imposed limits. For others they may need help in keeping to their plan. Some tips to help you control your gambling:When you go somewhere to gamble, consider how much money you have with you and how much you can access. Maybe leave the debit and credit cards at home and take only the cash you know you can afford to lose.Online, you can set limits for each of your accounts. Try not to have multiple accounts as this makes it much harder to manage what you spend.When online or in person, why not set an alarm to remind you when you should stop. It might even be the prompt you need to walk away when you are winning.Self-ExclusionIf you think you are spending too much time or money gambling, whether online or in a gambling premises, you can ask to be self-excluded. This is when you ask the company to stop you gambling with them for a period of time, lasting for at least 6 months. It is up to you to stick to a self-exclusion agreement, but the company should make reasonable efforts to stop you. When you make a self-exclusion agreement the gambling company must close your account and return any money in it.The Gamble Aware website contains more information about how to self-exclude: https://www.begambleaware.org/safer-gambling/how-to-self-exclude/Before you transfer any money into a gambling account you should check that the organisation is licensed by the Gambling Commission. Licensed gambling business must show they are licensed and provide a link to the Gambling Commission license register: https://secure.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PublicRegister​When does gambling become a problem?Problem gambling can affect anyone. It can happen at any age, to men or women and to people from any ethnic background. Studies have shown that you are more likely to develop a problem if you have a family history of problem gambling and if you started gambling at an early age. Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a hidden illness because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are with drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers also typically deny or minimise the problem, even to themselves. Gambling addiction can be referred to as problem gambling or compulsive gambling. You are unlikely to know that someone has a gambling problem unless they tell you. The impact of someone else’s gambling problem can be very stressful for friends and family members. Being a problem gambler can harm your health and relationships and leave you in serious debt. There are some signs to look out for if you are worried about your own or someone else’s gambling:Spending more time and money on gambling than you can affordFinding it hard to manage or stop gamblingHaving arguments with family and friends about money and gamblingLosing interest in usual activities or hobbies like going out with friends or spending time with familyAlways thinking or talking about gamblingLying about your gambling or hiding it from other peopleChasing losses or gambling to get out of financial troubleGambling until all your money has goneBorrowing money, selling possessions or not paying bills in order to pay for gamblingNeeding to gamble with larger amounts of money or for a longer time to get the same buzzNeglecting work, school, family, personal needs or household responsibilities because of gamblingFeeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable.There is evidence that gambling can be successfully treated in the same way as other addictions. ​Self-help tips for problem gamblingDo:Pay important bills, such as your mortgage, on payday before you gambleSpend more time with family and friends who don’t gambleDeal with your debts rather than ignoring them – have a look at A.D.V.I.C.E’s previous information on dealing with debt Don’tView gambling as a way to make money – try to see it as entertainment insteadBottle up your worries about your gambling – talk to someoneTake credit cards with you when you go gambling​The LawThe Gambling Commission has announced recent changes that mean it won’t be possible to use credit cards to make bets online anymore. Gamblers will need to use a debit card or cash deposited into an account. The Government is planning a wider review of the Gambling Act which will look into areas such as advertising, sponsorship and online gambling.​For help with gambling, try the following helplines and websites. Many of these sites offer a short self-assessment so you can assess whether you have a gambling problem.​National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/gambling-addiction/https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/https://www.begambleaware.org/https://www.gordonmoody.org.uk/https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/problem-gambling​About A.D.V.I.C.E​A Dedicated Voice for Inclusive Collaboration by Everyone (A.D.V.I.C.E) is an official health and wellbeing scheme, comprised of contractors, principal contractors and clients within the rail and construction industries. Companies include: Barhale, Bovis Homes, Ciras, Colas Rail, Ganymede, McGinley Support Services, Midland Metro Alliance, Network Rail, RSS Infrastructure, Transport for Wales, Van-Elle Limited and Vital Human Resources.Ganymede is proud to part of this initiative and bring positive change to health, safety and wellbeing throughout the industries by providing guidance and advice to all those that work in the rail and construction industries. ​Previous topics – Help with Debt (https://www.ganymedesolutions.co.uk/blog/2020/02/advice-topic-1-help-with-debt) ​