Fostering innovation
Published on January 17, 2020Whether it is a novel way to identify invasive species or a project that has led to a change in business practice, it has always been RSKโs philosophy to back any employee who has an idea that may lead to an innovation. Anyone who has an idea for how we can do things better should be able to get the appropriate support and the resources to test these ideas.
For the past two years, we have asked employees to share these successes and submit entries for our annual Innovation Awards. The awards, led by George Tuckwell, RSK Director for geosciences and engineering, celebrate ideas that have led to a change in business practice and created positive benefits to the bottom line, health and safety, quality and/or sustainability.
The third annual awards were launched in late 2019 and drew a wide range of submissions from across the group. As the judges decide this yearโs winning entry, here is a look at our previous winners.
Level headed
At the inaugural awards in 2018, the level crossing team from RSK Business Solutions took home the trophy. Managing Director Danny Bird shared the work his team had done for Network Rail in monitoring the safety of level crossings.
The team recognised that the surveys currently provided to the client were limited and of low quality, and designed a new way of monitoring level crossings with video and associated software. They collaborated with Structural Soils, an RSK company, to install the equipment at each crossing surveyed. RSKโs transport planning experts have also explored the possibility of using the technology for road safety and traffic assessments.
The RSK judges were impressed with the cross-business collaborations and that it was an opportunity to proactively help a client by creating a new approach to a problem from scratch. You can see more about the technology on YouTube.
Sustainable solutions for sulphur
The following year, the judging panel had a difficult task deciding a winner so chose two well-deserved teams for a joint 2019 award.
One award went to RSK Environmental Advisor Cyndi Teulon and the RSK Middle East team for developing and implementing a sustainable solution for sulphur generated from a natural gas processing facility in Iraq. RSK partnered with ADAS, an RSK company, and a local college, and engaged with ministries, to provide new learning and development opportunities for Iraqis while developing an agricultural reuse for sulphur.
A sewage sludge solution
RSK company RemedXโs stabilisation and solidification of sewage sludge solution equally impressed the judges in 2019. Associate Director Richard Martin and the Bristol RemedX team took the joint trophy. The project was an excellent example of RSKโs multidisciplinary assets, with the project managed by Darren Bench of RSKโs geosciences team, and the innovative sewage sludge solution presented and undertaken by RemedX, Bristol.
A client approached the team to develop a solution that would allow the successful stabilisation and solidification of sewage sludge on a development site. A previous investigation by another designer had identified that conventional hydraulic binders could be used to stabilise and solidify the sewage sludge. However, it was deemed that the stabilisation works were prohibitively expensive and threatened the viability of the project.
Collaboratively, RemedX and RSK identified a hazardous waste product from the cement manufacturing industry that would stabilise and solidify the sewage sludge. The challenge was to successfully demonstrate to the Environment Agency that a hazardous waste material could be managed appropriately on-site, with geochemical and geotechnical testing required to demonstrate the wastes suitability, along with ambient environmental monitoring, thereby offering financial viability to the clientโs project.
We look forward to sharing the winners of our third Innovation Awards soon!
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #waterindustry #construction
๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
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#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
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๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature