1,256 SAFE DAYS FOR ALL AT BP’S LONDON HQ
FULL steam ahead for the BP safety train. Following The Capitalist’s story two weeks ago about how the oil giant has been beefing up ‘elf ’n’ safety procedures in stairwell use, a source has sent in this picture (see right).
Yes, that’s right, a count-down (or count-up) calendar from BP’s London HQ boasting of how many “safe days” the building has gone without a “day away from work case” – that is, an injury that has caused an absence from work.
HQ workers must have felt particularly grateful for the proud safety notice during the Gulf of Mexico spill some 200 or so days ago, but it begs the question: what happened on that fateful date, 1,257 days ago?
We called our helpful safety captain at the BP press office for a briefing. “The point of putting that sign in this building… is that we have the same philosophy, the same rules of safety here as in our operational buildings,” he said solemnly. (Hmm… so perhaps the sign wasn’t such a comfort last May after all).
As for the timeline, it turns out it marks the very day the sign itself was hung safely on the wall.
And pending any improper use of the bannisters, methane gas bubbles (of the earthly, not human, variety), and angry invasions from the firm’s Russian partners, one sure fact is that you can set your calendar by BP’s “safe days” signage.
PUT IT ON HRM’S TAB
Eyebrows have been raised after disgraced expenses MP David Chaytor left Wandsworth prison for the low security Spring Hill jail after just two weeks. Perhaps the disgraced MP will make the most of his time at the open prison, where inmates are free to come and go as they please, providing they’re back by a 10pm curfew.
According to the HM Prison Service website, prisoners can take advantage of a number of training courses. Given his false claims for “IT support services” in May 2006 when the “services had not been provided or charged for”, perhaps the classes in computer studies would be worthwhile.
We’re sure the former Labour MP for Bury will find the new accommodation more amenable. Rooms are equipped with the kinds of facilities that can’t be found in budget hotel chains like Travelodge, including a mini-fridge, TV and Sony PlayStation. If that’s too dull, there’s always the on-site sports centre, with its soft-tennis courts.
ROYAL FLUTTER
Good news for anyone sharing a first name with the happy royal couple. Epsom Downs Racecourse is holding a special royal wedding celebration day on 20 April, when the first Investec Derby trial takes place, giving free entry to anyone with the first name “William”, “Kate” or “Catherine”. But there’s no faking it: the offer requires official photo ID.
The day promises to be a great preview of the Investec Derby Festival itself, for which City A.M. is the official newspaper partner. It’s happening at Epsom 3-4 June.
GLAMOUR SIX
And finally, a sneak preview of Glamour’s power list for 2010. The magazine names 35 over-achieving women under 35 every year for including in its “power list”, with six in the “business and law” category. This year’s six feature four entrepreneurs – Holly Tucker, Jessica Grosvenor, Jessica Huie and Nik Done – a solicitor (Lisa Morgan) and the head of a showbiz agency (Suzie Norton). The list shows there’s plenty of female talent in the pipeline when it comes to rebalancing that pesky male dominance of company boards.