Case Study

Queens College

As Bursar of Queens College London, one of Simon Turner’s priorities is to ensure a safe and healthy place in which to work and learn. Identifying that there were major challenges in this area, Simon called Elementus soon after his arrival and asked for assistance. By working with the College, Elementus, in three proactive steps, produced an individual and system orientated health and safety management system. This means that Queens College not only complies with legal requirements, it also offers a safe and healthy learning environment for its pupils and staff.

Getting Started

The initial step was for Elementus to really listen and fully undestand the College’s requirements. Only after that did Elementus provide an individual, custom-made and clear route map that would allow Queen’s College to start achieving their health and safety objectives. A point taken up by Simon Turner, “The Elementus consultant provided a completely independent and tailored view point. Elementus helped us to set our priorities and to establish a structured programme to achieve our aims.”

Moving Forward

After the initial review process Elementus were asked to provide complete fire, asbestos and water management systems.

A key factor in the successful implementation of these initiatives were Elementus’s in-depth risk assessments providing Queen’s College with vital information about their current status, a clear guide to area where further actions were required, and the information necessary to achieve them.

Simon Turner states “During this period we formed a fundamental working relationship with our Elementus consultant. This gave us confidence in their reports, which are clear, easy to follow, and personally presented. The Elementus reports have also given us independent verification that our systems and numerous contractors are actually performing to agreed service levels, and this has given me vital time to address other strategic issues.”

Developing a partnership

The overhaul of health and safety documentation, policy and procedures continued with the introduction of a comprehensive training programme. This used tailored staff and individual training to give the necessary skills to the right people. This has helped everyone understand ‘Health and Safety’ issues, and gets people to take ownership.

By harnessing the new knowledge and existing abilities of the staff, they are now involved directly in the health and safety function, and an indicator of the advances made has been an all-inclusive culture of awareness. The Elementus approach of a single, dedicated consultant to work with each client has also helped Queens College’s growing confidence in Elementus.

A New Focus

As a result of these changes, a stronger health and safety culture now exists at all staff levels within Queen’s College. This has provided benefit in efficiency, a reduction of the ‘Health and Safety’ workload, plus a legal compliance that has given peace of mind. Simon Turner added, “The Elementus reports are clear, factual, and self explanatory and they have made it much easier for me to identify issues and to go directly to individuals, rather than via a committee, to get something done.”

The Future

Set against a background of ever changing health and safety legislation and new regulations, Simon recognises maintaining the highest levels of practice can be a difficult and time consuming, “Looking forward, the biggest challenge that we have is to develop a system with Elementus that will keep our health and safety policies current and in line with emerging legislation. We feel that we are well on the way to achieving this through increasingly refined and effective annual reviews that form a part of our contract with Elementus.”

About Queens College

A leading pioneer of further education for women in Britain, the college was established in 1848 and currently educates 180 junior and 360 senior pupils. It’s unique location in six, Grade 2 listed buildings in and near London’s Harley Street adds further complexity to health, safety and facility issues.

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