Case studies
Assessing Medical Device Usage in Hospitals
Introduction
In the medical profession health and safety practice and procedures are of critical importance. In this regard MSS Health and Safety has been working very closely with KIMAL who specialise in the manufacture of innovative medical devices. The main purpose was to formulate an independent and objective analysis of risk within the clinical environment.
Health and Safety for Medical Devices
MSS Health and Safety has undertaken a number of specific projects for KIMAL assessing the safety and health risks associated with a number of medical devices.
MSS Health and Safety looked at the specific hazards relating to the use of certain medical devices in hospitals. It concluded that there were already measures in place to control the risks to safety and health, although not all of these measures were used on a regular basis.
Comment
According to KIMAL’s Rebecca Gittins, “MSS Health and Safety is a very professional organisation. The projects were very much a team effort and MSS Health and Safety was an excellent company to work with. The MSS Health and Safety Consultant was very knowledgeable and made a positive contribution to the projects.”
McCann Erickson Gets the Best in Health and Safety
Introduction
McCann Erickson is one of the UK’s top three advertising agencies. From the outset a complete health and safety structure with cohesive policies, procedures and the correct documentation were required. It was decided that MSS Health and Safety’s Platinum Health and Safety Management service was the ideal vehicle to take them forward.
The McCann Erickson working environment, which covers two buildings and approximately 400 employees, is constantly changing. Staff mobility, in terms of new starters and a high number of internal moves, is a feature that affects this major UK advertising agency on an on-going basis.
Platinum Service
MSS Health and Safety has helped McCann Erickson get everything organised. Under MSS Health and Safety’s expert guidance the company implemented all the necessary health and safety features to ensure compliance with all the regulations. The MSS Health and Safety Platinum package included audits/inspections, display screen equipment (DSE) workstation assessments, training, policy document etc. Structures and procedures are in place and are attended to on an on-going basis.
DSE Workstation Assessments
The workstation assessments had a profound effect on the whole company making them aware of health and safety issues. Constant staff changes make completing all the workstation assessments a difficult process. MSS Health and Safety has provided McCann Erickson with an electronic package for carrying out the workstation assessments. In addition an assessor goes in every two weeks and visits problem workstations.
Policy and Procedures
MSS Health and Safety also set up internal health and safety committee meetings which the consultant regularly attends. The health and safety policy document is invaluable as they now have a good reference document which is accessible to staff and clients alike and has a positive impact on other areas of the business.
Comment
According to Casey Stevens “MSS Health and Safety has helped us get everything organised. It addresses every health and safety requirement that we need. MSS Health and Safety is always there to answer questions and help. Under MSS Health and Safety’s expert guidance we have implemented all the necessary health and safety features to ensure compliance with all the regulations. It is more cost-effective to subcontract out our health and safety than to manage it in-house. MSS Health and Safety is absolutely superb. We could not do without them.
MSS Health and Safety Provides Rias with Expert Support on the Corporate Manslaughter Act
The new Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is generating some concern amongst organisations and is making them more aware of their responsibilities. Organisations have a duty of care in the way that they manage their activities and they can be found guilty if a death results from serious mismanagement.
Rias, a specialist over 50s insurance company with over 1,200 employees, has taken the Act very seriously. Rias already had well established health and safety policies and procedures thanks to its association with MSS Health and Safety, a specialist heath and safety consultancy.
Rias identified a need to take a detailed look at the current safeguards and also make people aware of their responsibilities, especially senior management. It was also important to increase awareness and get employees to take more ownership of their actions.
In order to achieve this, MSS Health and Safety carried out a training course for directors and produced a Health and Safety Handbook for managers. MSS Health and Safety also helped Rias to tweak its health and safety policies and procedures to take the new Act into account. For example, anyone driving on company business comes under the new law and so a proper driving policy was implemented in order to provide adequate safeguards.
According to Chris Stone, the Facilities Manager at Rias, “MSS Health and Safety played an important role in increasing health and safety awareness, highlighting management responsibilities and getting everything in place. It has the right expertise and provided us with impartial and independent advice.”
UniCredit Banks on MSS Health and Safety for Health and Safety
Introduction
The organisation was expanding and in London was moving its 3 buildings into a brand new HQ.
The UniCredit Group is the result of the merger of nine of Italy's largest banks and the mergers with HVB Group in Germany and Austria and the Capitalia Group in Italy. The organisation was expanding and in London was moving its 3 buildings into a brand new HQ.
The bank’s heath and safety requirements were becoming onerous and more demanding. The bank decided the best option was to outsource its health and safety management to MSS Health and Safety. It opted for the full Platinum service.
Level of Service
MSS Health and Safety’s corporate Health and Safety Management scheme offered the bank a cost effective alternative to managing health and safety in-house. The Platinum service is a complete package covering every aspect of the corporate health and safety requirements. MSS Health and Safety focuses on installing Health and Safety policies and procedures, which represent “Best Practice” for the bank. Another attractive feature was its comprehensive and fully supportive hands-on service to UniCredit.
This gave the bank access to better knowledge and also independent advice. As an independent source MSS Health and Safety’s recommendations are much more meaningful.
Audits and Inspections
Initially MSS Health and Safety carried out premises audits and inspections. The audits are then re-done on a regular basis. MSS Health and Safety also assisted with the risk assessments and preparing the relevant health and safety documentation. The Consultant highlighted what action had to be taken and managed the implementation of that action.
Staff Training
Training was another integral part of the package. It helped to introduce employees to all the fundamentals of health and safety in the workplace. The courses highlighted the areas, which need to be considered when establishing a relevant and pro-active health and safety management regime. The health and safety guide booklets also helped improve staff awareness of health and safety issues.
Satisfaction
UniCredit believe that the time spent, quality of information and degree of support has been well worth the value of the contract. In dealing with the staff, MSS Health and Safety is very friendly and considerate. This is very important in a banking environment.
Upto Date Policies
Compliance with all the health and safety regulations is extremely important. It is essential to keep abreast of the legislation and also avoid the possibility of litigation. It is good to have the reassurance that the bank is covered on all health and safety issues and on any concerns that might occur. It is comforting that the bank has the reassurance that everything is in order.
Comment
According to Keith Charouneau, Director and Head of Facilities Management, “We felt that we needed better knowledge and independent advice. It was becoming increasingly difficult to devote enough time to effectively manage our health and safety in-house. Using MSS Health and Safety has helped achieve things on a much faster basis as well as enabling us to concentrate on other issues. MSS Health and Safety has also helped improve the health and productivity of our staff. MSS Health and Safety covers a very specialist area and is very thorough.”
UniCredit - Banks on MSS Health and Safety for Health and Safety
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