Sphere is able to supply to clients a service that enables them to have a designated Health & Safety competent person onsite and tailored to their specific requirements.
Whether working for 1/2 day per week or more, the Fully Managed service allows you to have your own professional onsite for an agreed time period. It allows you to determine your safety budget and to improve voids within your safety management system
The Fully Managed service works very well where an ongoing presence is required to instigate and maintain a Health and Safety programme, change perceptions or manage medium to high risk. The service is offered from half a day per month up to three days per week and can be a very cost competitive solution compared to hiring a person full-time.
Outsource Case Study
A successful manufacturing company had a need for expert advice to lower their lost time rate. 100 workers were taking 120 days, on average per year as sickness absence linked to their medium risk manual jobs. Claims history was high a nd reportable accidents running at an average of two per month. The organisation decided to utilise the retention scheme, helpline and have a presence onsite of one day per week. Mentoring and support being provided for all staff on request.
Sphere first identified, through a simple audit, areas for improvement and awareness. Linked to this was a mentoring and support programme for all staff, from the MD down to the cleaner.
Over the first year risk assessment and training analysis identified areas where accidents where prevalent and knowledge based issues not controlled. The insurers where kept fully involved and where keen to help, providing a insurance freeze from the end year one.
A training programme was agreed and staff at varying levels of the organisation were provided with IOSH Managing safely, Safety Rep and specific regulation training. Allied with this training a safety committee was implemented and many issues raised and controlled.
At the end of year one the lost time rate had dropped by almost 40%, reportable accidents down to less than one in a quarter and productivity had gone up by 18% with many of the initial medium to high level risks controlled and managed. The overall workforce had a greater understanding of health and safety legislation and its requirements.
A annual review was undertaken and again a simple audit on the remaining lost time and knowledge based issues undertaken.
Year ones system was again utilised with the addition of health surveillance and a managed return to work interview.
At the end of year two the lost time rate was down to a total of 21 days, the insurers and the workforce are very happy with their safety performance. The Senior Management have more confidence in providing quality products at a reliable build rate. Sphere still has an ongoing but reduced presence within this organisation, advising and supporting where appropriate.
This case study is but one of many examples where an outsourced service has given an organisation professional, quality focussed business management which improves their shopfloor productivity, legal compliance and therefore reduced their employees injuries & claims history.
