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DOWNLOAD: Lucion’s EHS Compliance Checklist PDF
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Facilities Managers – the modern facilities management industry is facing a host of challenges – rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and increased hazardous material and environmental risks. These issues can take a toll on budgets, uptime, and overall efficiency. To address these challenges, many FM practitioners are turning to integrated approaches to ensure the smooth operation of their facilities.

By working closely with suppliers and adopting technology-driven strategies, FMs can mitigate the risks associated with these challenges and equip their facilities to meet the demands of the modern world.

Want to know what should be on your compliance list for 2023? Download the Top 12 EHS Compliance Checklist PDF from Lucion Group, a trusted provider of environmental risk management, inspection, assessment and advisory services.

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phs launches new bundle range to reduce compliance costs 
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phs Compliance has launched a new range of testing bundles to help businesses cut the cost of their electrical and fire safety obligations.  

The Compliance Testing Bundles allow businesses to select from 12 different packages of PAT tests, fixed wire electrical tests and fire safety tests, with some bundles offering savings of up to 40% compared to individual test prices.  

The testing bundles also aim to minimise disruption for businesses by carrying out the different compliance assessments on the same date, ensuring minimal downtime. 

“It’s about helping our customers carry out vital compliance duties in the most efficient and cost-effective way,” said Darren Blackbird, Sales Director for phs Compliance. “We find a lot of businesses have separate companies carrying out their different electrical tests and fire risk assessments, or different times of year for each test, and that is a really expensive way of staying compliant.  

“Our Compliance Testing Bundles combine the key tests required to ensure businesses are meeting the legal obligations – PAT tests, fixed wire electrical tests and fire equipment safety tests. These ensure businesses are fulfilling their duties, which are outlined in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the relevant health and safety and fire safety regulations, including England and Wales’ Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

“By pulling these tests into packages, we can offer significant savings to our customers, both in terms of price and time. There are 12 different bundles which include electrical testing and emergency lighting, thermal and fire alarm testing and extinguisher testing. They are designed to offer the best deal whatever your business needs.” 

With over 50 years’ experience, phs Compliance is one of the UK’s leading providers of facilities management and compliance services with over 400 engineers across the UK.  

As well as electrical, mechanical and fire safety testing and maintenance services, phs Compliance also provides specialist electrical and mechanical project services, including design, supply and installation for everything from power to lighting. 

phs Compliance offers free advice on key compliance testing on its website. Click to view its PAT Testing Guide, Fixed Wire Testing Guide and its Fire Safety Testing Guide. 

To find out more about the new Compliance Testing Bundles, contact the phs Compliance team. 

Staying compliant: How to navigate hybrid working and electrical testing 
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With many businesses now settled into a hybrid working structure, employers are being reminded of their legal obligation to ensure electrical equipment is safe even when being used by workers at home.  

Dan Lee, Managing Director of phs Compliance, one of the UK’s leading providers of facilities management and compliance services, says that many businesses are not ensuring compliance of employees’ home offices alongside equipment in the main office. 

He said: “It’s fairly standard now across many sectors for employees to be spending some of the working week in the office and some at home, but your responsibilities for health and safety don’t end when employees leave the site.  

“Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are responsible for the health, safety and well-being of all employees, whether they work on site or remotely. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 also state that all electrical equipment in the workplace must be suitable for use and maintained to ensure it is safe, including any equipment used at home to carry out their job.  

“It’s a difficult situation for businesses. They are still liable if employees injure themselves at home, but mitigating the risks remotely is more challenging. Employees may not understand the risks that electrical equipment like laptops, printers and extension leads can pose, and dangerous practices, like overloading sockets or leaving laptops charging on sofas, can be commonplace.  

“All users of electrical equipment should have some basic training in how to use the equipment safely, as well as what danger signs to be aware of. Users should feel confident in visually checking the equipment regularly for obvious signs of damage, as well as potential risks, such as cables trapped under desks or water hazards. 

“However, the best way to protect your employees, and demonstrate your compliance with legislation, is to carry out regular PAT testing on all electrical equipment, whether on site or used remotely.  

“PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) involves an examination of portable electrical equipment and appliances to ensure they are safe to use.  This should be carried out by a competent person with the correct training and equipment. It is strongly recommended to employ an experienced and qualified PAT tester to test equipment every year. 

A great opportunity is for colleagues to bring their equipment back into the office for testing when there is a staff meeting, as several pieces of equipment can be tested in one session to save costs.   

“If you are unsure how to meet your health and safety obligations for electrical testing, phs Compliance can help with advice, guidance and over 400 experienced and trained engineers across the UK ready to start testing wherever you are.” 

Click to view phs Compliance’s free PAT Testing Guide. 

With over 50 years’ experience, phs Compliance is one of the UK’s leading providers of facilities management and compliance services. As well as electrical, mechanical and fire safety testing and maintenance services, phs Compliance also provides specialist electrical and mechanical project services, including design, supply and installation for everything from power to lighting. 

WEBINAR: Get compliant and stay compliant
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By Derwent fm

Compliance in facilities management

We all know how important compliance is within facilities management and at Derwent fm it underpins all aspects of our operation. Keeping up with new rules and legislation can be time consuming and is often a challenge for estates, facilities and operational teams.

According to the IWFM (Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management) compliance should take the following points into consideration: law, requirements, rules, standards, transparency, regulations and governance.

We would recommend proactively keeping on top of compliance via a CAFM system which should alert you when attention is needed or works are due to be serviced/completed. This will also ensure that you have a clear audit trail. It’s also a good idea to appoint someone who can stay on top of compliance whether this be someone within your organisation of a professional facilities management company. This is particularly important for efficiency and peace of mind.

Being compliant can make considerable cost savings. If issues are overlooked this can cause far greater problems in the future. We take a proactive approach with our clients which means there are less reactive tasks thus savings our client’s money.

Compliance can ensure that procedures are undertaken efficiently, allowing companies to streamline processes by having strict guidelines to adhere to. Similarly, being compliant in your operation will ensure that you don’t incur any unnecessary fines or penalties thus ensuring your business reputation remains intact.

Reputation can certainly impact on a businesses finances, making things like gaining new business and developing and sustaining existing relationships difficult. In extreme cases, a failure to comply could lead to prosecution which would be detrimental to a any businesses reputation.

If you’d like to find out more how to get and stay compliant take a look at this on demand webinar https://www.derwentfm.com/get-compliant-stay-compliant/ or give us a call on 0113 531 1000 for more information on how we can help you.

Electrical testing is the key to successful refurbishment
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By phs Compliance

Building refurbishment present risks, especially when it comes to electrical systems. Regular electrical testing is a vital part of the maintenance of any building, but it becomes even more crucial with a refurbishment project, explains Darren Blackbird, Sales Director at leading electrical testing and maintenance provider phs Compliance:

“Ensuring every aspect of your electrical work is delivered according to BS 7671 standards is a key priority in any refurbishment, which is why we will often run projects alongside contractors to ensure that our clients remain compliant at all times, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Having an electrical compliance and remedial expert on board to prioritise electrical testing, repairs and safety at all stages of the work is key.”

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require those who are in control of an electrical system, or part of an electrical system, to ensure it is regularly maintained and safe to use, including during a refurbishment.

“We start projects with a full electrical inspection and test to assess the existing systems and circuits and identify any faults, which in turn can be immediately rectified by our team before any work begins, ensuring safety and compliance on site from day one.

“The on-going protection of the existing system is also a priority. Parts of the electrical system may need to be isolated if the work could potentially disturb or damage it, and on-going testing will be required throughout refurbishment to ensure compliance.

“There may also be the need for more remedial work on-site as the refurbishment continues. If an inspection shows that something needs repair, it needs to be done immediately. Not having a specialist electrical installations team on board to carry out urgent remedial work can cause delays and increase costs.

“Electrical upgrades are a major part of most refurbishments and these require careful management, and additional testing, to maintain safety and compliance. Typically, there will be cabling replacements, part or full rewires, distribution board upgrades, fire safety system upgrades, data network improvements and energy efficient upgrades, like new LED lighting systems, to consider. We work closely with our clients to ensure these upgrades are installed and maintained correctly, leaving the finished project fully compliant.”

With over 50 years’ experience, phs Compliance is one of the UK’s leading providers of facilities management and compliance services with over 400 engineers across the UK. As well as electrical, mechanical and fire safety testing and maintenance services, phs Compliance also provides specialist electrical and mechanical project services, including design, supply and installation for everything from power to lighting.