Ainscough Deploys “Crash Test Dave” to Boost Safety Awareness at EDF Heysham
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 24, 2025
- 3 min read
30 Second Takeaway
Ainscough Crane Hire has reinforced its commitment to site safety and risk awareness by delivering a pilot safety refresher training programme at EDF’s Heysham 2 nuclear power station. Using its well-known training aid Crash Test Dave, Ainscough helped EDF employees and contractors better understand the safety-critical risks associated with lifting and lowering operations, with plans to train more than 250 people at the site.
Strengthening Safety Culture at a Critical Nuclear Site
Ainscough Crane Hire’s dedication to its Make the Safe Choice principles was recently demonstrated through a targeted safety training initiative at Heysham 2, an EDF nuclear power station located on the North West coast of England near Lancaster.
Heysham is unique within the UK energy sector as the only location with two operating nuclear power stations, making safety awareness and operational discipline critical at every level.
Pilot Training Programme Focused on Lifting Safety
Ainscough is currently delivering a pilot refresher training course for EDF employees and contractors, designed to reinforce understanding of the safety-critical nature of lifting and lowering equipment.
Given the short-format nature of the sessions and the need to deliver maximum impact, Ainscough introduced its well-known training companion Crash Test Dave—a life-sized dummy colleague used to visually demonstrate dangerous situations that must be avoided on live sites.
Using Crash Test Dave to Deliver Serious Safety Messages
The training sessions were led by Ian Fisher of Ainscough, who explained the value of using Crash Test Dave as part of the programme:
“Our use of Crash Test Dave is meant to be light-hearted with a serious message. Dave is a valuable tool in helping to demonstrate why safety should be the number one priority on any site, from a residential construction job to a complex operation at a nuclear site.”
By visually illustrating unsafe scenarios, the training helped participants clearly understand the potential consequences of poor lifting practices in high-risk environments.
Positive Results and Wider Rollout Planned
The pilot training programme at Heysham 2 was described as a resounding success, with strong engagement from participants.
Ian Fisher added:
“The pilot course was a resounding success, and we aim to train over 250 employees and contractors at the power plant.”
The initiative highlights Ainscough’s proactive approach to raising safety standards, particularly in critical infrastructure and nuclear environments.
About Ainscough Crane Hire
Ainscough Crane Hire is the UK’s largest crane rental company, operating a fleet of more than 400 cranes from 30 locations nationwide. The company is widely recognised for its strong safety culture, continuous training, and commitment to protecting people, projects, and communities.
Ainscough’s Make the Safe Choice programme underpins its approach to operational safety across all sectors, from residential construction to complex industrial and nuclear projects.
🔗 Safety culture: https://www.ainscough.co.uk/about/our-safety-culture/🔗
Website: https://www.ainscough.co.uk
About EDF Energy Heysham 2
Heysham 2 is an EDF nuclear power station located near Lancaster on England’s North West coast. The Heysham site is unique in the UK, hosting two operational nuclear power stations, supplying low-carbon electricity while operating under some of the most stringent safety standards in the industry.
🔗 Website: https://www.edfenergy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Crash Test Dave?
Crash Test Dave is a training dummy used by Ainscough to visually demonstrate unsafe lifting and site scenarios in a memorable and engaging way.
Where did the training take place?
The pilot training programme was delivered at EDF’s Heysham 2 nuclear power station in Lancashire.
Who took part in the training?
The programme was delivered to EDF employees and contractors working at the site.
What was the focus of the training?
The sessions focused on the safety-critical nature of lifting and lowering equipment, particularly in high-risk environments.
Will the programme continue?
Yes. Ainscough plans to train over 250 employees and contractors at the Heysham site following the success of the pilot.
