slow down, stop and think - adam's story
Adam Kutcher, regional operations director at Holcim Readymix South, has had a rollercoaster of a career in the construction industry. Despite facing challenges that would turn many away from the sector, Adam has redefined his experience as a powerful example of the importance of health and safety in the workplace.
an early accident
Adam’s story begins in December 1996. It was late in the evening and 21-year-old yard operative Adam was working on site at Stepney ready-mix facility. Being an enthusiastic, young starter, he was always first to volunteer for any job around the yard. So, when his colleague asked for help unloading a delivery of two additive tanks, Adam sprang into action.
“We unloaded the first additive tank without a problem,” Adam explained. “It was the second tank that went really wrong. These tanks weighed about 450 pounds empty so they were extremely heavy.
“The other guy on shift and I were managing the load ourselves and that’s when the second one came loose. I put up my hands to protect myself but before I knew it, I was on the floor. The load hit me on the head and I really did have that ‘white light’ moment.
“My colleague, Joe, thought I was messing around initially and it’s only when I couldn’t respond properly that he went to get a first aider. I managed to get up and we went straight to the hospital. I really didn’t think anything of it until I walked into A&E and the nurse asked me what had happened. She took me from the back of the queue straight through to X-ray.”
Unbeknown to Adam, his head was virtually hanging from the rest of his neck. He had fractured the cervical spinal C4, which disrupts nerve signals and can cause somebody to die.
“I was admitted into critical care that same night and put into a full body cast,” Adam said.
“I went home for Christmas but was experiencing horrendous pain and lost sensation on the left side of my body so I had to return to hospital. That’s when the healthcare team decided they were going to perform a major operation on my spine to fuse 50% of the cervical spine together.
“I was stuck in a bed for weeks on end. Looking at four ceiling tiles, with a metal cage around my head and neck. Not knowing if the surgery would be a success, It wasn’t pleasant to say the least.”
It's safe to say most people expected Adam to never return to the construction sector after his ordeal, but instead, Adam went back to work with a new outlook on health and safety.
Adam was granted one year of medical leave but found not being at work to be more damaging to his mental wellbeing.
“I think a lot of people would assume a 21-year-old would love to have a year off work, lounging around,” Adam said. “But I loved working and missed being on site with the people. I went from playing a lot of sport and having a lot of friends to taking medication to manage my pain and isolating myself.
“Back in the late 90s, mental health and wellbeing wasn’t really spoken about, so I did feel alone in what I was going through. I ended up going back to work after three months.”
Adam continued his career in the construction industry before joining Holcim in 2008. Now as regional operations director at Holcim UK’s Readymix Bow, London site, he oversees multiple projects, including HS2, and manages a close-knit team where health and safety is prioritised.
For Adam, work is more than a job. He says work is his sanctuary – even if his family think he’s crazy!
“I get up early every day, even when I’m not at work,” Adam said. “Work truly is my therapy and I love getting into my own rhythm and cracking on with tasks. My wife, Tanya, thinks I’m insane but it really does help me.”
Almost 30 years on from his accident, Adam is committed to using his experience to bolster health and safety among his team and, as a member of Holcim’s Ability Network, raise awareness around important topics that often go unspoken. From health challenges and disabilities to everyday struggles, the network shares stories to spark engagement and creates safe, inclusive spaces where like-minded people can connect.
In particular, Adam implores his colleagues to take a moment before volunteering to help in a situation with which they’re unfamiliar.
Adam said: “When you’re young, you’re eager and you want to help – I get it. But that rush to help is exactly what put me in such a dangerous, life-changing position.
“My advice is just to slow down, stop and think. Look to your managers and site supervisors for guidance and always follow health and safety protocols.
“Any accident is unlucky, but it can go one of two ways: it can be a somewhat ‘lucky’ incident or it can be something like I experienced and affect you for life. I have tinnitus as a result of my accident and still have to visit a specialist for pain management and stiffness in my neck.
“So, it’s never worth rushing into something on site you are unfamiliar with. No one will think any less of you; instead, they’ll see you as a careful and considerate employee.”
life goes on
While Adam still has to deal with repercussions from his accident, he is kept busy both at work and outside of work by his wife and children. Adam used to coach boys’ and girls’ football teams, as well as a team for adults with additional needs, but has had to take a back seat due to other football-related commitments.
“My daughter plays for the Chelsea under-14s team, which takes up a lot of our time,” Adam said.
"I'm incredibly proud of her. However, I'm also looking forward to her driving herself to training, as it will allow me to return to coaching. I found helping the local community through coaching to be very rewarding."
Everyone should feel safe at work, which is why we at Holcim UK are so thankful to Adam for sharing his story to raise awareness of the dangers working on site can bring. We are delighted to have a leader like Adam in our team, and we’ll be watching very closely for a future Lioness in the making!
