HSQE Communication Bulletin - December 2025¶
Document Reference: COMM_HSQE_12_2025
Issue Number: 1
Issue Date: 01/12/2025
Review Cycle: Monthly
Controlled By: HSQE Consultant
Document Type: Communication Bulletin
Document Control Information¶
| Rev | Changes | Date | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial Issue - December 2025 HSQE Updates | 01/12/2025 | Aaron Mason |
Executive Summary¶
Wessex Water £11m enforcement confirmed; new EPA methodology goes live 1 January 2026; festive-period driving and wellbeing focus.
🔴 Wessex Water — £11m Enforcement Package Confirmed¶
On 16 December Ofwat confirmed the £11 million enforcement package against Wessex Water following its investigation into the operation of sewage treatment works and the wider sewerage network.
Impact on AMWS: The Environment Agency and clients are tightening reporting expectations. Any incident on AMWS-controlled excavations or temporary works that affects watercourses or surface drains must be reported through the standing weekly compliance call the same day — no exceptions, no waiting for the monthly call.
EPA Methodology — Live from 1 January 2026¶
The new water-company Environmental Performance Assessment goes live for data collected from 1 January. Headline changes:
- 5-tier numeric rating (1 = failing, 5 = excellent) replaces the old colour bands
- All pollution incidents must be reported — no downgrading of Cat 3
- "Dry day spills" tracked separately
- Total pollution incidents metric not "live" for 2026/27 data but reporting still required
AMWS practical effect: Every site we run is part of the client's incident count. A small spill we cause and don't report becomes a client EPA hit. Report everything, every time, via SOP 8.1 — Accident, Incident & Near Miss.
Festive Driving — Fatigue, Alcohol, Distraction¶
Mid-December to mid-January is the highest-risk driving window of the year. Combined factors:
- Darkness on both legs of the working day
- Cumulative fatigue from year-end deadlines
- Social drinking — alcohol can be in the bloodstream until late morning the next day
- Wet, icy, or snow-affected roads
POL_HSQE_02 Alcohol & Drugs reminder: zero-tolerance, both for driving and for being on site. If you've had a heavy night, do not drive in. Call Jason or Leanne.
Christmas Shutdown — Site Security¶
Sites and yards locked down 22 December to 5 January. Pre-shutdown checks:
- All plant chained, fuelled, isolated
- Welfare units locked, water systems drained where freeze risk
- Spill kits topped up
- Mobile contact numbers circulated for emergency callout
- Standing security agreement with Stanley Security verified
HSE Festive Wellbeing — The "Talk to Someone" Reminder¶
Christmas can amplify loneliness, financial pressure, or relationship strain. The Lighthouse Construction Charity helpline is available 24/7:
- 0345 605 1956
- Construction Industry Helpline app — free download
- AMWS Mental Health First Aider: Jason May — call any time
Action Items for December¶
- ✅ Brief the team on EPA methodology changes — all incidents reported
- ✅ Festive driving brief — fatigue + alcohol + dark hours
- ✅ Pre-shutdown site/yard security check
- ✅ Year-end APP_22 accident-stats reconciliation
- ✅ Distribute Lighthouse helpline cards in van packs
Looking Ahead to 2026¶
- 1 January — EPA methodology live, AMP8 mid-cycle
- April — ISO 14001:2026 publishes, three-year transition begins
- June — Achilles UVDB Verify Category B2 surveillance audit
- September — annual Management Review
This document forms part of A M Water Services Limited's Integrated Management System and should be read in conjunction with the IMS Manual (MAN_01) and relevant Standard Operating Procedures.