Southern Cross Healthcare Group Case Study
Some of their premises are newly built, but many are converted from stately homes, hotels or other large properties. With such a variety of buildings, asbestos surveying and management was a huge headache, and far too difficult to handle in house. Because of the nature of Southern Cross Healthcare's clients, they needed a company who were reliable, professional and could be trusted to cause as little disruption as possible to their residents' comfortable environments.
How we helped them:
In 2004 they chose us, G&A Environmental Services Ltd, to carry out a complete asbestos survey project in every care home in the UK. It was undertaken by our team of highly trained surveyors, who worked closely with the Facilities Director and the Estates Manager responsible for each residence.
Our aim was to efficiently and cost effectively, produce a complete asbestos survey report for each property. These documents are now part of Southern Cross Healthcare’s H&S audit, and formed the basis for their ongoing asbestos management plan.
Often, asbestos does not need to be removed from a building, and if properly managed, is much safer left in place. We provide the best advice for our clients on what to do in every situation. And if it’s unavoidable, we can manage the disposal process in a safe and discreet manner that allows you to concentrate on your main business.
Other aspects of our work for Southern Cross involved the implementation of a formal monitoring process of any asbestos containing materials in the care homes. In conjunction with Southern Cross healthcare we have implemented a rolling schedule of monitoring systems and follow-up surveys, again working closely with each home’s maintenance team. They take place regularly, depending on the type, quantity and condition of the asbestos present. Any remedial work is identified and completed out under the control and watchful eye of our engineers. The asbestos management plans are regularly updated, and we have developed excellent relationships over many years with our client and their team.
Our final achievement has been the implementation of training for all of our client’s staff. We offer a variety of courses aimed at different levels of personnel. Company management need to understand their legal duties and risk exposure, and their maintenance operatives must quickly identify damage or handle emergency problems on the ground. We provide group seminars,
one to one training and various options for distance learning, depending on the location of your staff.
The Result:
The management at Southern Cross Healthcare now know they are completely compliant with the stringent regulations regarding asbestos, that they are ensuring the safety of their residents, employees and any visitors to their properties, and that they have fulfilled their duty of care in every way.
What they said about us:
‘Our buildings are more than just a structure, they are the personal, intimate, comfortable homes to thousands of vulnerable residents whose safety and wellbeing are everything to us. That’s why we’re so particular about who has access to them.
G&A Environmental have proved to be an excellent business choice, with clear, practical approaches to our asbestos management issues but also sensitive to the needs of our clients and staff. They have made good relationships within our teams over the years and their knowledge and service has been unbeatable. Our asbestos management plans would have been time consuming and costly to implement by our own staff, and we would always worry we’d missed something. Using G&A has saved us money, and a lot of stress!
I would not hesitate to recommend G&A Environmental Services to any organisation requiring expert asbestos surveying and management.’
Facilities Manager, Southern Cross Healthcare Group
We can help you too:
If you think this sort of service could help you, contact us on 0845 683 2553