By Mike Wilcock
Six years ago, a project was piloted in Southeast England designed to assist small companies manage health and safety using a partnership between large companies and the authorities, including HSE.
Building on the social responsibility agendas of the partners, the project, “Estates Excellence”, provides free training, guidance and a local support network.
Focusing on a specific geographic area, or industrial estate, the concept of Estates Excellence is simple, but undoubtedly effective. All SMEs in the area are offered an informal visit, to provide them with the right knowledge to improve their health and safety. This focus on a local approach ensures SMEs do not waste time and resources on travelling to training courses or on risks that aren’t relevant.
It was rolled out across the country in 2011 and now more than 5,000 businesses across the country have taken part, and training has been provided for 4,000 people.
What’s so encouraging is that three-quarters of the resource comes from partner organisations and it now delivers free advice on health and safety, and has the potential (with local partners) to cover a wider range of topics such as fire safety, site security and wellbeing.
This is partnership working at its best. Large organisations with mature health and safety practices assisting smaller counterparts who need that helping hand to grow. Focusing on the real risks, proportionately, and making for a healthier and safer work environment – what’s not to like?
Mike Wilcock is head of operations, Southern Division, HSE. Mike is the national project board chair for Estates Excellence. He is now exploring how to grow the Estates Excellence project.
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