The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Safety Person or Team Award

Devon Johnson

Said the following about Paul Roper:

“Paul has worked in safety for well over 10 years in various positions within Freightliner. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of safety but is able to explain safety in a way that members of staff at all levels in the company can understand ad relate to

Paul has over 20 years of experience within industry and other roles within Freightliner before joining safety and so he can appreciate how safety is viewed by many people and his enthusiasm and commitment to the aim of Freightliner to have “Zero Accidents” means he can win over even the most sceptical person

Paul has a passion for risk assessments, believing they should be clear, simple, and easy to understand and owned by those who are affected by the risks, not something that is kept in a folder in an office bookcase. Consequently, you will find him in one of our Terminals or depots at all hours of the day, deep in discussion with the workforce helping them to understand the hazards they are exposed to and be involved in the development of practical control measures that will keep them safe

Last year Paul delivered thirty-two 1-day safety training courses in Birmingham aimed at the “coal face” workers where he would use his natural easy-going style and endless repertoire of stories to put over the core messages of the Freightliner Target Zero Course

I have worked with many safety professionals in my career, but Paul is the most knowledgeable, passionate and committed person I have worked with and I wholeheartedly recommend him for the Safety Person of the Year Award“