January Newsletter
Welcome to the January 2010 issue of Xmo Strata's online newsletter.
To view a story, please click on the relevant headline below.
For further information please contact us or visit www.xmostrata.com
Content
- Shedding light on wasted money....and energy
- Setting the health and safety agenda for the next decade
- New for 2010/11: Illustrated JSAs
- Training video series - Episode one
- A new arrival for Kate!
- Safety first as Steve Martin wins prestigious award
- Xmo Strata praised by a Dame
- Managers under-rate the risk of sign work
- Can you afford to lose money?
- Safe contractor accreditation for Xmo Strata
- New York beckons for the Slater family!
- The next step in protecting your name
- Another freezing plunge for Ramsay
- There's snow stopping Xmo Strata!
Shedding light on wasted money....and energy
Reducing carbon emissions is often seen as a costly exercise which many companies overlook in favour of keeping expenditure to a minimum, especially during times of recession.
However; Xmo Strata has implemented its own carbon emission module on the XmoMan management system, and offers a range of measures that can help you to reduce your emissions AND keep costs down.
Here's how:
- One of the biggest energy wasters on a forecourt is the canopy lights, which are illuminated whether or not the pumps are in use. Installing motion sensors and the latest low-energy LED technology could save you hundreds of pounds a month on lighting.
- Many forecourt shops are over-lit and don't make enough use of natural sunlight. Installing light-sensitive switches ensures that lighting costs are kept to a minimum during daylight hours. Sun tubes can also be installed in most roofs, providing further natural light to the shop.
- Back-office lighting can be fitted with motion sensors to prevent lights being left on inadvertently.
- Refrigerated cabinets can be made more energy efficient by installing LED lights. Using a better air conditioning system can also reduce both cost and CO2 emissions.
- Water wastage can be improved by fitting duel flush cisterns in forecourt bathrooms along with water saving taps.
Xmo Strata has a proven track record in reducing CO2 emissions and making sites more environmentally friendly and it doesn't need to cost the earth. Even small changes can add-up to big savings.
The results will show you that it pays to be green.
For more information on how Xmo Strata can help you reduce the carbon footprint across your network please visit the Contact us page on the website.
Setting the health and safety agenda for the next decade
Xmo Strata finished the decade on a high, with employees, sub-contractors and customers alike coming from across the UK to attend the Safety Awareness day on December 11.
This year's event was held at the Hilton Hotel in Maidstone, where attendees were keen to share their thoughts about health and safety and help develop safer working practices for the future.
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Special thanks to the VIPs:
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The day included:
- A review of 2009, including all of the company's awards, recognitions, qualifications and accreditations.
- A review of the 2009 Hearts and Minds campaign. Over 60 ‘I will’ statements have been completed, in which employees have identified ways to improve their own safety standards.
- A video exercise detailing the common, but avoidable, mistakes made whilst using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs).
- The premier of Xmo Strata's new safety video which looks at the hazards associated with work on busy forecourts.
- The launch of a new safety campaign for 2010/11. The STAR campaign has been designed to foster new methods of communication within the company. Several initiatives will be introduced throughout the year commencing with the introduction of illustrated JSAs. See New for 2010/11: Illustrated JSAs for more information.
- The 2009 safety recognition awards - commending those who have shown a proactive approach to safety awareness. Awards were presented by our VIP guests.
Jason McMenamin, BP, presenting the award for Best Site Documentation to Steve Whitcombe and John Upson
“Xmo Strata clearly sets the bar within the industry when it comes to HSSE. The 2009 safety day was well-paced, interesting and well delivered. The level of engagement and the results delivered by Xmo teams are a testament to your enthusiasm, as is the support of the company's various clients from across the industry.”
Jason McMenamin, BP
“I found the safety day a real refreshing approach. It hit all the spots; it was relaxing yet thorough enough to get the points across. The main thing that sticks in my mind is the drive the company has developed from Steve - Fantastic!
In 2010 we would like to sponsor a table and invite some of our other contractors along to see what can be achieved with the correct culture.”
Richard Carrington, Coteba
Further pictures of the day can be seen on the Xmo Strata website here.
If you're a customer and think you've missed out, don't worry, Xmo Strata will be doing it all again in 2010! If you would like to attend just get in touch.
New For 2010/11: Illustrated JSAs
Throughout 2010 and 2011, Xmo Strata will be producing and distributing illustrated JSA (Job Safety Analysis) documents. These will be used in addition to the text-based versions that all staff and approved sub-contractors currently use.
The new style JSAs form part of the Xmo Strata STAR campaign that will be running throughout the next two years.
JSAs are used to:
- Establish and detail a safe system of work
- Explain how every task can be completed safely
- Detail the potential hazards of each task
- Identify risk control measures (including safety glove ratings)
- Assess the level of risk before and after controls are put in place
- Detail potential injuries or loss that could occur by not working safely
Two illustrated JSAs will be produced each month and will contain images taken by Xmo Strata teams. These will be kept alongside the text-based versions in every company vehicle.
It is hoped that the new style JSAs will aid more effective communication and help those who learn better by seeing visual examples of tasks being completed. The aim is to have an illustrated counterpart to each current JSA by the end of 2011.
Further information on the STAR campaign will be available on the Xmo Strata website very soon!
Training video series - Episode one
Safer setting up: traffic management and site safety
A new training video, previewed at Xmo Strata's Safety Day in December, is now available to be viewed on the website here.
This initial video will form part of a new series of training aids produced by Xmo Strata. It has been designed to highlight the risks found on our sites across all areas of the business, and identifies how they can be overcome by a more proactive attitude towards site safety.
Episode one focuses on site set-up, particularly addressing the issues encountered on a busy petrol forecourt.
Safety is not a competitive issue and Xmo Strata is happy to share this footage with the wider industry in the hope that it can prevent accidents and promote safer working environments.
As always, feedback is welcome, so please feel free to Contact us
A new arrival for Kate!
Kate with baby Pearce
Baby Pearce was born at home at 11.33am, weighing a healthy 7lb 11oz.
Unfortunately Kate didn't quite make it to hospital for the birth, but never the less, mother and baby are both doing fine.
Congratulations Kate.
Safety first as Steve Martin wins prestigious award
Managing Director, Steve Martin, with the ‘Achiever of the Year 2009’ accolade from SHP/IOSH
Managing Director, Steve Martin, has walked away with the ‘Achiever of the Year 2009’ accolade from the official awards scheme of Safety and Health Practitioner magazine and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (The SHP/IOSH Awards).
The award was presented by comedian and TV star Hugh Dennis at the annual awards ceremony in the prestigious Hilton, Park Lane Hotel, London.
Judges were particularly impressed with Steve's personal commitment to health and safety, saying his actions are ‘a great example of health and safety being led from the front, which will inevitably impact on the positive culture throughout the whole organisation’.
Xmo Strata's well-received Hearts and Minds workshops were among the many programmes given special praise by the judges.
Steve, however, was quick to point out that: “Whilst I have the kudos of receiving the award, it is a recognition that extends to everyone employed by the company and the continued support of our customers, both past and present. This is a testament to everyone who has carried out work in the planning or implementation of our sites.”
Xmo Strata praised by a Dame
Xmo Strata's commitment to health and safety has been commended by Dame Carol Black DBE, National Director for Health and Work, after the company made the final of the National Business Awards.
In a personal letter to Managing Director, Steve Martin, Dame Carol said: “I wanted to offer my personal congratulations on the excellent work you are doing and the way that your company is such an example to others. If we are to have a vibrant, well motivated workforce then investment in health and well-being with the appropriate business plan is absolutely essential.”
Although Xmo Strata didn't bring home the gold medal, to receive such recognition at this level is a real testament to the hard work of everyone in the company.
Congratulations to all.
Managers under-rate the risk of sign work
Managers in the retail industry are dangerously under-estimating their own liability when it comes to employing sign installers. Xmo Strata recently commissioned some research which revealed that 46% of the managers questioned, thought that sign work was “less dangerous than work in the construction industry”.
In fact, there is no independent breakdown of health and safety issues in the sign industry - but sign engineers conduct work at height, involving electricity, over areas where traffic is likely (including on Red Bus routes for some retail customers), and in the case of work on fuel forecourts, with hazchem issues and an even higher risk of speeding traffic. Sign projects frequently involve construction/civil work.
Managing Director, Steve Martin, says the risks are higher than the industry seems to perceive - and the legal liability rests, not just with the retailer, but potentially with individual managers.
“Some managers falsely believe that if they ask the question, and the sign company gives the right answer, they are in the clear. They're not. The law requires the employer (i.e. the customer) to provide a safe working environment, and if a sign fitter falls whilst working at height, because he has failed to adhere to health and safety regulations, it is entirely possible that he could sue the customer and not his own employer. In fact he's likely to sue the biggest target with the deepest pockets, and in many cases, that won't be a sign company.”
To read more on this subject visit www.xmostrata.com.
Can you afford to lose money?
No industry is recession-proof, but the signage industry has been hit particularly badly, with almost daily reports of companies struggling to pay bills. Indeed, even the industry's annual Sign Awards have been cancelled due to the current economic down-turn.
So how do you avoid selecting a sign firm that could reach their demise while working on your projects? Can you afford to lose the money you've already invested in them?
You can ask them about their credit history, but how can you be sure they're telling the truth? Never take their word for it, especially in the current climate.
The safest solution is to run a credit check on your potential supplier.
For further information on how do this visit www.creditsafeuk.com.
Safe contractor accreditation for Xmo Strata
Xmo Strata has recently been accredited to Safecontractor - a scheme to asses the health and safety competency of contractors and service providers.
The following health and safety topics were considered during the assessment phase:
- Health and safety responsibilities
- Communication with employees
- Health and safety training
- Manual handling
- Risk assessments
- Emergency procedures
- Work equipment testing and maintenance
- Personal protective equipment
- First aid and accident reporting/investigation
- Control of substances hazardous to health
- Breaches of health and safety legislation
For more information please visit www.safecontractor.com
New York beckons for the Slater family!
Managing Director of Xmo Strata, Steve Martin and VIP guest Mark Day, Coteba, presenting the Hearts and Minds award to Paul and Tom Slater (centre)
In the culmination of the 2009 Hearts and Minds campaign, Paul and Tom Slater and their partners, are now gearing themselves up for a trip to the Big Apple in March.
The trip came as a result of the father and son team demonstrating a commitment to a more proactive safety behaviour, improved quality near-miss reporting, enhanced health and safety checks, good customer safety / quality / courtesy rating, regular vehicle checks, comprehensive site photography and identifying and eliminating risks at source.
We caught-up with the Slaters to get their reaction to the initiative and winning the big prize:
How do you feel about winning the award?
We're both were very pleased and excited to receive the award as we didn't expect to win.
Have you ever been to New York before?
No, it's somewhere we've always wanted to go, but never really had the opportunity until now.
What are you most looking forward to when you go?
We're really looking forward to seeing many of the famous landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
What do you think about a trip to New York being offered for health and safety?
It's a brilliant incentive for everyone to step-up their health and safety efforts. It also shows Xmo Strata's dedication towards health and safety, even in times of recession.
What did you have to do to earn the points in the award scheme?
We had to be more proactive towards on-site hazards and ensure we identified these on clearance certificates. We also had to ensure we did our health and safety and vehicle checks. Making sure we had comprehensive site photography was a point scorer, as was maintaining a good customer satisfaction rating.
Near-miss reporting and investigation has been a big part of this years safety initiative and gained us plenty of points towards this win.
Xmo Strata expects a high standard of health and safety awareness, so we had to improve our normal standards. We always make sure our paperwork is up-to-date and accurate.
By being involved in this award scheme, do you think you have become more aware of site hazards?
We've always considered ourselves health and safety conscious, but the Hearts & Minds scheme has made us even more observant of the potential hazards that can occur on-site.
Now it has become more routine for employees and subcontractors to report site hazards, do you think it will continue?
Definitely, for a whole year we've been focused on every aspect of site safety, it's now a fundamental part of the way we work.
Do you think the award was a good idea and what do you think the main benefits are both to you, and to the company as a whole?
The award was without doubt a good idea, and the prize was a fantastic incentive. It helped us improve our own health and safety standards which in turn improves standards for the whole company.
What do you see as the main benefit in reporting near-misses?
For us, the main benefit of near-miss reporting is that others can learn from them, which makes a safer working environment for everyone.
The trip has been organised to coincide with Paul's birthday which will make the trip even more memorable.
Everyone at Xmo Strata wishes you both a fantastic holiday.
The next step in protecting your name
From the largest oil company to the little shop on the corner, business owners work hard to build a trusted, reliable and dynamic brand - which of course needs protecting.
Xmo Strata has taken the next step in protecting its hard-won reputation as an industry leader by registering Xmo as a trademark.
Having Xmo registered helps the company assure customers that every time a client sees the Xmo name they can be assured that they will receive the same high quality service they have come to expect from Xmo Strata.
Owning the Xmo trademark also allows the management to take legal action, including criminal prosecution, if another company tries to pass itself off as part of the Xmo group.
For more information on trademark protection, or how to register a trademark, visit the Intellectual Properties Office at www.ipo.gov.uk
Another freezing plunge for Ramsay
“The air temperature was minus 2 and I had been out in my dressing gown and trunks for 20 minutes prior to the dip so I was pretty chilly”
Last year, Xmo Strata reported that BP Senior Manager, Ramsay MacDonald, plunged into the freezing temperatures of Scotland's Forth River on New Years day.....but why on earth would he do it all over again in 2010?
The answer? For charity....(and for the tot of whisky he just couldn't resist!)
How did this year compare to 2009?
We have had snow on the ground since before Christmas and it still hasn't cleared. With this in mind I thought it might have put-off a lot of the spectators. However, the local paper said they were expecting the largest ever turn-out and so most of the approach roads to Queensferry were closed and there were hundreds of spectators. The air temperature was minus 2 and I had been out in my dressing gown and trunks for 20 minutes prior to the dip so I was pretty chilly. I waited at the shore for the parade to arrive and was one of the first to wade in. I almost ran straight back out when I got to waist-height but decided to jump in and try swimming instead.
Which charities were you fund-raising for?
Children 1st (which is the Scottish version of the NSPCC) and Barnardos.
What makes you go back for more each year?
It's a great conversation piece; some would say my only one! Seriously though, it's amazing how often it comes up in conversation and people always say “will you be doing it next year?” It also makes people smile; walking to the shore I noticed that there were so many people just smiling and thinking ‘nutter’; that's no bad way to start a new year!
How did you first get involved in this event?
It started as an idea when I was slightly worse-for-wear one New Years morning, but now I don't drink anymore (though I confess someone did pass me a tot of whisky in the water this year which I took advantage of!).
I notice in the pictures there are life boats surrounding you. Are there any health checks done before you take the plunge?
No, they make a note of your address etc when you register but no health checks are done. I wouldn't advise anyone who isn't in tip-top health to try it though. The biggest risk is people cutting their feet on the rocks or on glass. I have always worn sandals.
What are the health and safety procedures for an event like this?
The parade route and the procession is pretty well organised and the police are on-hand to check the route to the shore. They have the guys from the local lifeboat station in the water in dry suits and they keep an eye on people in the water. There are also first aid teams stationed on the shore watching for people who swim out too far from the beach. Lots of people are in fancy dress and some seem quite the worse for wear from New Year celebrations, but most are very well behaved and take it all in good spirit. So far I haven't seen anything go wrong and let's hope it stays that way.
When did this event begin and what is the background to it?
It began about 20 years ago. A group of about five friends in the Moorings pub in Queensferry decided it would be a good hangover cure and realised they could raise some money for charity. They have done it every single year and are usually the first in the water. They have street collections on the day for a local charity (Marie Curie cancer this year) and it has just grown to be part of the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations. This year I saw lots of people who were doing it as an organised holiday trip to Scotland. It's available to anyone now but I can't imagine paying for the experience.....even that would be a step too far for me!!
BP will be matching all of the money Ramsay has raised for Children 1st and Barnardos.
Retrospective donations for this event are always welcomed, so if you can spare a few pounds for either charity please visit www.children1st.org.uk or www.barnardos.org.uk.
There's snow stopping Xmo Strata!
As the rest of the country seemingly ground to a halt, Xmo Strata teams were out in-force on customer sites nationwide. Working on petrol forecourts, in particular, is notoriously dangerous; but snow can make the risk of accidents even higher.
Fortunately Xmo Strata has the best trained crews in the industry and took all possible safety precautions.
Below are a couple of photos showing the conditions teams have been faced with over the winter.
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