About us Started Dairy processing in Ards 1952 First UK company to commence UHT (Ultra Heat Treatment) production 1972 Employ around 200 people in the North of Ireland and Britain Export 240 formulated products to over 70 countries world wide with a turnover of 90m Operate a bespoke H&S Management system, Accredited to ISO 14001, 9001 & the Carbon Trust Standard
Our Range of Products
In 2011 Pritchitts inducted 104 new contractors for various work on site. Currently working through an 8m site expansion programme-of infrastructure and processes. Have in place an contractor approval process and approved list (in line with insurers requirements). Full specialised contractor induction programme. We are regulated directly by the NIEA under IPPC and environmental aspects form part of approval process and induction
So it all sounds good and looks like everything is under control. I do not like having contractors on site. Their management is time consuming and difficult. In 2011 we had 12 accidents/incidents, including 1 potentially serious incident involving contractors. Things can go wrong! 2 examples
During an Insurer s H&S/Risk audit Contractors carrying out hot work, at height. Removing metal beams that passed through a wall. Using cherry picker, harnesses, PPE, grinders and acetylene torch, fire watch in place. Agreed method statement and risk assessment in place, all inducted. Authorised under a company permit to work.
Other side of the wall!!!
What else did the risk auditor find? Fire extinguishers were empty Fire watch had no Fire extinguisher training. Welding gas tubes were pitted. Safety Harness was for greater than the 2m height of this job. Permit to work was filled in at a desk not at location Surrounding area was not clear of combustibles Outcome insurers stopped the job!!!!
Pritchitts Fire Team
Contracted job on site to install external ducting Approved contractor in place. Method statements and Risk assessments approved. Designated external hot work area constructed. Full inductions in place. Permit to work issued. CCTV recording in area. 3PM FIRE ALARM ACTIVATED IN ADJACENT AREA! FULL FACTORY EVACUATION FIRE TEAM DEPLOYED
What they found on investigation Hot work taking place in an unauthorised area- also an ATEX Zone!!
Fire fighting equipment, walkway and fire escape were blocked. Waste and combustible materials were being stored in area without permission.
Thankfully a False alarm, smoke activated the alarm system! A full investigation Launched Findings: Contractors were cold, so they moved inside!! Their van was needed elsewhere so they stored materials inside They didn t know they had to inform us!!!
What I Did I developed tourette syndrome!!! Reviewed contracted work tender process Including all documentation regarding HS&E policies, training documents, list of people to be on site, insurance details. Developed an electronic Contractor database in conjunction with insurers to refine approved contractors list.
Banned the receiving and acceptance of generic risk assessment and method statements from contractors. All RAs and MS must be prepared after a visit to site and discussion with all interested parties. Commenced a weekly Project review meeting on site.
I ran training classes for Our Employees on the issuing of permits to work and their responsibilities during the life of the permit and for the requirements of all contractor s on site. Developed a new Permit to system that reflected findings of the investigations. Permit issuer carries out random check on work. Weekly Fire team training includes site wide inspections.
Issued a new Hot work Risk assessment check list to be completed at the area of work and signed off
All contractors are issued with a site map showing areas where hot work is prohibited
Before the commencement of any work an induction session is booked to review everything required to work at our premises Remember its your company, factory, offices, job that you are protecting.