The volume of switchgear work gradually outgrew the accommodation in K and E aisles, and in 1928 a new building of 90,000 sq. ft., the nucleus of the present 'West works', was put up for the assembly of outdoor and metalclad switchgear. Designed to accommodate eventually 400-kV switchgear and equipped for testing at voltages up to 500 kV in any part of the assembly area, it is still the most modern switchgear assembly shop in the country.

On account of the growing demand for power in the factory after the war it was decided to scrap the original works generating plant and buy current from the local electricity supply undertaking. Something like 15,000,000 units of electricity a year were being used, and all the electric motors and other apparatus were changed over from 25 to 50 cycle operation without interfering with manufacture. As at that time the facilities for turbine testing were becoming inadequate, the new substation, 5000 kW in capacity, was placed in the main avenue, allowing the engine room space at the south end of B aisle to be used for a new turbine test.

The number of accidents in the works fell off steadily after the war—the injury roll was halved between 1916 and 1922—and in 1925 this tendency was accelerated by setting up an 'accident prevention committee' of management, shop supervision, and workers. This committee recommends any changes in safety precautions that may be desirable as a result either of analyses of accident statistics or of changes in legislation, and its formation was soon followed by the appointment of two 'safety first' inspectors, at first on a part-time basis.

A centralized suggestions scheme, started as one of the first in the country in 1917, was reorganized with a representative committee in 1923, following a 'suggestion' from G. E. Bailey. In the first year over 160 suggestions were received. The committee now sits weekly and is open to consider constructive ideas based on any of the Company's activities and sent in by any of its employees. Awards, depending on the value to the Company, have ranged from a few shillings to many pounds: over £20,000 has been distributed.

Nearly 30,000 suggestions have been received and investigated. Among those that have proved to be more than just ideas were a wiring layout on a contact unit, which earned an award of £75 for H. Birkinshaw of West works switchgear, and a method of prolonging the lives of sillimanite crucibles used in high frequency sintering furnaces, which gained £50 for W. Lowe of research. In special competitions, which were started in 1927, J. Deans (iron foundry), C. W. Carless (C engine details), and W. Birch (instrument assembly) have won £20 prizes in addition to their normal awards.