The benefits of good risk management

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Head Office Cleaning

How effective risk assessment can benefit cleaning firms

Accurate and up to date risk assessment is crucial to the effectiveness of health and safety procedures. Risk assessment software launched by Asset Skills helped one cleaning firm improve its health and safety strategy and raise business efficiency.

Head Office Cleaning was founded in 1973 and is a family-owned, independent company employing more than 250 staff. Based in Dagenham, Essex, with a turnover of £1.75 million, it specialises in high profile cleaning contracts throughout London and the South East. Clients include museums and art galleries as well as corporate offices and libraries.

Managing Director Mike Head attended a demonstration of Asset Skills risk assessment software at the British Safety Council offices in London.

"Risk assessment is the foundation of what we do," says Head. "To keep one step ahead of legislation and remain competitive you need to continually evolve your ability to address risks and refine operations."

The Asset Skills Risk Assessment CD offers small businesses a comprehensive tool to evaluate procedures and practices from a risk perspective. Head Office Cleaning used the software to update directors and line managers.

Implementing systems quickly

Its implementation began with assessments of the daily cleaning operations within specialist client premises. Museums and art galleries often have sophisticated requirements for the cleaning of exhibits, marble floors and ornate architecture. The user-friendly nature of the software has meant that a potentially complicated process was short and simple. Head Office Cleaning did not need any training or support from Asset Skills in this initial phase making the software cost-effective.

The whole point of the system is that anyone can use it and it is as inclusive as possible. This is because it forms part of a British Safety Council qualification, helping those looking to become qualified risk assessors to gain experience.

Delivering benefits to the business

The software enabled Head Office Cleaning to improve, formalise and standardise their risk assessment strategy. This development has built upon the company's established relationship with the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). The subsequent changes have led to significant interest in the Asset Skills National Occupational Standards training.

"We have a responsibility to both our staff and customers to ensure our procedures and practices are up to scratch," says Mike Head. "It was only natural we would look to progress from using this software to looking at the training that Asset Skills is promoting."

"We've been impressed by their affiliation with organisations such as the British Safety Council and we are keen to hear more from Asset Skills on our training requirements."

Confidence in compliance

Head Office Cleaning has now re-examined its operations at all levels and re-engineered its processes to manage risk.

"If you are examining risk assessment or just looking to manage the health and safety aspects of your workplace, partners like Asset Skills can be invaluable," says Head.

"I would recommend this product to all cleaning companies as I feel we have benefited immensely from finding a training solution provider who has shown excellent value for money and a product that suits the needs of a small cleaning company"