March 2013 Newsletter

27 Mar, 2013

Welcome to the March issue of the ISO Quality Services Limited newsletter – what’s in this issue:

Newly Certificated clients
Quality Manager Training Course
Health and Safety News – Company fined after Norfolk engineer fractured skull in fall
Employment law update – An Increase in Statutory Rates and Payments
How to run a management review meeting
New member joins the ISO Quality Services team
ISO Quality Services Networking
Our new offices

Newly Certificated Clients

The following clients deserve big congratulations for kicking off the New Year by achieving the following:

Stepway Building Services Limited, based in Redditch, Worcestershire, who are building specialists, they offer a nationwide building fabric complete package. They have recently achieved the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard.

Adila Satellites Limited, based in Alperton, Middlesex, are a company who supply and distribute DTH & Communal Satellite Systems, Digital and Terrestrial Television and can therefore offer their clients and exclusive, tailor made solution to their requirements. They have recently achieved ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Health & Safety Management Standard.

Database Communications Limited, based in Bristol, are a communications company, who are growing from strength to strength and now undertaking global projects through Europe and North America. They have recently achieved there ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard.

Quality Manager Training Course

Quality Manager training will cover the following topics, as well as allowing for question & answer sessions on the day:

• Principles and elements of ISO 9001
• Role of the Quality Manager
• How to integrate ISO into the daily activities of the business
• Effective Objective setting
• How to run a Management Review Meeting effectively
• Guide to internal auditing
• Focus on bench marking and its importance to quality management
• Continuous improvement

Our next Quality Manager training course is being held on the 22nd May 2013 at our offices in Worcester, West Midlands.

To register your interest in attending this course, please send an email to info@isoqsltd.com, and we will provide you with further information or please visit our training section.

Company fined after Norfolk engineer fractured skull in fall

A Norfolk food company has been prosecuted for safety failings after a 49 year-old engineer fractured his skull and was left partially deaf after a three metre fall.

The worker, who does not wish to be named, sustained the serious head injury while investigating a fault with a data logger attached to a cooling unit at a company in Norfolk, on 27 October 2011.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard today (28 February 2013) that he accessed the unit via a free standing ladder resting against the rear of the chiller without any top ties or foot supports to stop it from moving. It slipped as he went to get some tools and he fell three metres to the floor below, banging his head on impact.

The engineer spent four days in Addenbooke’s hospital following the incident. He damaged a bone in his right ear, which left him partially deaf and unable to work for a month following the fall. He also has debilitating tinnitus and has only been able to work reduced hours since his injury.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that had the ladder been better secured, or a safer alternative provided, such as an elevated work platform, then the fall could have been prevented.

The company was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £11,690 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

After the hearing HSE inspector Joanne Williams said:

“This incident could easily have proved fatal. You do not have to fall from a great height to lose your life and work at height remains one of the most significant causes of fatalities and major injuries in the workplace.

“Extreme caution must be taken at all times, and the onus is on employers to ensure work is properly planned and supervised, and that adequate safety precautions are taken. That didn’t happen here, and the engineer has been left with a permanent injury.”

The above demonstrates the importance that having a good Health and Safety Management Systems in place. A health and safety management system ensures robust procedures are in place in a business’s areas of highest risk

For advice or information about working safely at height visit www.hse.gov.uk/falls

An Increase in Statutory Rates and Payments

The start of the tax year is approaching; therefore please see below for changes to statutory benefits, personal allowances and tax rates:

• Statutory Sick Pay Increases to £86.70 a week.
• Personal Income Tax Allowance Increased to £9025.00.
• Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption Pay and Maternity Allowance increased to £136.78 a week.

Video: How to run a Management Review Meeting

For companies who are looking to run or are already running, an ISO management system, this educational video will assist you on how to run a management review meeting. It covers the what, why and how’s that we find are most common, with a few top tips along the way.

Events we are attending this month

Hayward Wright American Breakfast Meeting
Date of Event 23/04/2013 Cost: £6 (Booking Essential) Time: 07.30-09.30
Venue: Detroits, Jaguar House, Castle Street, Worcester WR1 3AD

Constructionline – West Midlands Meet the Buyer Event
Date of Event 25/04/2013 Cost: FREE Time: 08:30 – 15:00
Venue: International Suite, Renewal Conference Centre, Lode Lane, Solihull, B91 2JR

New Starter to the New Business Development Department

We would like to officially welcome Chris Crane to ISO Quality Services Limited. Chris is 26, and from Worcester. He has just become the latest member of the team. Chris’s previous experience includes sales & marketing for an energy saving company promoting the Green Deal across the country. In his spare time he owns Worcestershire Bar Hire, a company specialising in weddings, charity events, and festivals. The company provides all the equipment necessary.

We’re here to stay!

This month we had the new signage put up for the company, think that means we’re officially here to stay at our new premises! What do you think?

We’ve also updated the waiting area