Overview
No business is safe from the all-seeing gaze of the HSE. Not even a family-run online retailer who provides the noble service of making bathrooms better. Fortunately, there are Health & Safety consultants like iSAFE who can take care of all the boring stuff, so companies like Bathroom Mountain can continue adding value to people’s lives. Here’s a story of safety success!
Bathroom Mountain is an online retailer specialising in bathroom furniture, cabinets, designer radiators, and more. They’re based in Stoke-on-Trent but have a presence throughout the UK, with services that improve both the functionality and aesthetic design of bathrooms for a wide range of customers.
An interesting (albeit a little crass) fact: in the UK, we spend an average of 3 and a half hours a week in the bathroom. This is an alarming statistic which explains the demand for businesses like Bathroom Mountain; if we spend that much time in our bathroom, we really ought to make it look nice.
In light of their ongoing growth, Bathroom Mountain recently opened up a new warehouse. The bathroom supplies they had covered – but when it came to health & safety management, they knew some expert assistance wouldn’t go amiss.
The Challenge
During the construction of their new warehouse, it became evident to the Bathroom Mountain management team that unsafe practices were occurring within the site. Recognising the need for expert guidance, Bathroom Mountain enlisted the help of iSAFE to ensure that all health and safety protocols were meticulously followed. Shamila Iqbal, the Founder and Director of Bathroom Mountain, explains some of the reasoning behind choosing iSAFE: “Straight away we could see that iSAFE were different to any other consultancy. As we all know, health & safety isn’t the most exciting of topics, but iSAFE definitely didn’t seem boring. And more importantly, they were clearly very knowledgeable and could offer exactly what we were looking for.”
Onboarding
Following a thorough consultation, iSAFE stepped in to provide a comprehensive health and safety plan, taking on the responsibility of managing all safety aspects of the construction. This included engaging with subcontractors, ensuring everyone was aligned with safety protocols, and providing on-site presence to oversee daily operations.
As Shamila explains, “Working with iSAFE was totally different to any other health & safety consultant we’ve worked with before. They engaged us from the get-go by getting to know us as people, and took the time to understand our needs and formulate a completely tailored solution.“To start with, iSAFE were on-site everyday, which is what we required. Now we’re at a point where they only have to come once a week. Our relationship has really grown, and they’ve never stopped doing what’s best for us. Really, they look after your business as if it’s their own.”
Solutions
iSAFE were there to address any issues and adjust safety measures as needed. It was a close collaboration that ensured the project stayed on track and met all safety requirements.
A significant improvement iSAFE introduced was a more engaging induction process. Instead of traditional methods, they implemented a video induction across Bathroom Mountain’s various sites, including showrooms and other warehouses. This approach ensured that all workers were not only informed but also engaged in the safety process. Shamila notes, “It’s been a great way of getting everyone on the same page, much better than just handing them a document full of information. We’re now really confident that people are safe when they’re on-site.“
The presence of a ‘health & safety for dummies’ whiteboard was another standout initiative. This board displays all ongoing activities on-site, allowing anyone to quickly understand the current status at a quick glance. “I can just come in in the morning and take a look and I know exactly what’s happening, without even calling Jack.”
When it came to complex tasks like the contract lift – something outside Bathroom Mountain’s comfort zone – iSAFE’s expertise and industry connections made the process seamless. “They’ve got connections in the industry that we didn’t even know existed; it couldn’t have been smoother,” says Shamila.
Outcomes
With iSAFE’s support, Bathroom Mountain has overcome the challenges of building their new warehouse while maintaining high safety standards. The project was completed efficiently, with all subcontractors and workers aligned on safety protocols, ultimately allowing Bathroom Mountain to do what they do best.
Shamila sums up the experience: “I would one hundred percent recommend iSAFE… Working with Jack, Tim, Aaron, and the whole team is just like working with an extended family. We really couldn’t be happier working with iSAFE, and I’m really excited to open our next showroom with them.”
If you require any amount of health & safety management for your business or project, contact iSAFE today.
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