GMI installs one of Bristol’s first public bleed kits on a construction site

GMI Construction has become one of the first construction companies in Bristol to fit a bleed kit to its site in the city.

Bleed kits improve the survival chances of those who have been stabbed or suffered other traumatic injuries. They contain vital pieces of life-saving equipment such as gauze, tourniquets, trauma bandages and chest seals, which can help stem a serious bleed prior to the arrival of emergency services.

The kit, installed at GMI’s site in the Temple Meads Quarter, was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Andrew Varley, and representatives from the Daniel Baird Foundation and South West-based anti-knife crime organisation Bladeless Bin The Blade CIC.

GMI has a national partnership with the foundation, which was founded in memory Daniel Baird who lost his life in a stabbing incident outside a Birmingham pub in 2017. Daniel’s death was a result of the unavailability of essential first aid and bleeding control equipment at the scene.

Daniel’s mother, Lynne Baird MBE, established the foundation to prevent such tragedies and ensure bleed kits are readily available to the public.

This kit, which is the latest to be installed at GMI sites across the UK, has been affixed to external hoardings at the development of its £50m Purpose-Built Student Accommodation scheme currently under construction 200 metres from Bristol Temple Meads station and overlooking the Floating Harbour.

Adam Taylor, GMI Construction’s Regional Director in the Midlands, said: “Safety is always of paramount importance to GMI and we’re proud to be the first construction company in Bristol to install a bleed kit on our site.

“Our partnership with the Daniel Baird Foundation charity, which is driven by our responsible business team, is part of our dedication to make the cities where we operate safer places for everyone. We’re really grateful to the Lord Mayor for joining us on site to unveil the kit, which we hope is never used, but will be vitally important if it is every required.”

The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Andrew Varney, said: “I was honoured to visit GMI’s site to launch the availability of the bleed kit. For the modest cost of a kit, a life could be saved. It is an important resource not only for the public, but also for any accidents on construction sites. It’s great that GMI is leading the way with bleed kits in Bristol and I would encourage others to adopts these measures too.”

Leanne Reynolds Founder of Bladeless Bin the Blade said: “We firmly believe that publicly accessible bleed kits are essential tools for providing immediate first aid to control bleeding until professional medical assistance arrives. We’re delighted to launch our first in Bristol as part of our partnership with GMI.”