Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)

Health and Safety matters - not only to us and our workers, but also to our clients. Everyone likes to be assured that the work we do is done safely. In a business like ours, we live with the effects of our work on health and safety every day, which is why we believe in operating in a safe and responsible way.

Due to the strength of our reputation in this area, we also undertake a principal contractor role on many of our projects - proving that our comittment to health and safety goes beyond just WT Parker, but to everyone we work with, and as such, WT Parker have a full time Health and Safety and Environmental Manager.

WT Parker is a member of RoSPA and accredited by Chas and Safecontractor.

Health and Safety Policy Statement

The W T Parker Group is committed to providing and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and comply with applicable legislation. Therefore we will, where reasonably practicable;

• Identify the hazards to employees and any third parties affected by work carried out by ourselves (to include visitors) and adequately control risks.
• Maintain healthy and safe working conditions, including providing safe plant and equipment.
• Ensure that employees are competent to do their work and provide appropriate training and maintain a register of training undertaken.
• Ensure the safe transport, storage, handling and use of hazardous substances.
• Where possible, consult with employees on health and safety issues affecting their wellbeing, and providing necessary information, instruction and supervision.
• Review and revise the safety policy at regular intervals as necessary.

It is the duty of every employee to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and any others who may be affected by their actions and activities. The success of the W T Parker Group safety policy is dependent on the co-operation of all employees and has the full support of all the Directors.

Safety Passport Scheme

WT Parker Ltd operate a Safety Passport System which is certified as meeting the requirements of the Client, Contractor, National Safety Group Scheme and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

Environmental Policy Statement

W T Parker Group Ltd carries out electrical and mechanical services, data networking, panel manufacturers, stainless steel vessel manufacturers, pipe work installers and process control. The company is aware that some of its activities impact on the environment; the company is committed to the protection of the environment and improving its performance by the following measures:

• Ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and any other requirements, and anticipating and acting promptly to any changes. Keeping up to date with any new legislation or changes via Barbour.
• Commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance and to preventing pollution and planning, conducting and monitoring its operations using the best practicable means to protect the environment from impairment.
• Taking account of concerns of interested parties such as regulators, clients, stakeholders, employees and the public.
• Assessing all contracts for their environmental impact, offering advice to clients on less harmful / more energy efficient alternatives where practicable and seeking to actively reduce environmental impacts.
• Making this policy available to everyone working for or on behalf of the organisation and the public, while providing suitable training to improve environmental awareness, and allocating clear responsibilities.
• Purchasing, operating and maintaining all its vehicles in a responsible manner, providing the maximum practicable environmental protection.
• Commitment to a programme of recycling and continually finding new methods of recycling/reusing/reclaiming packaging and redundant materials and any further type of waste.

The Company’s environmental policy statement and all associated documentation are available to all personnel and the policy statement will be displayed at each registered office of W T Parker Group Ltd, and included in the H & S Guide. Copies of this will be made freely available to members of the public through W T Parker Group Ltd regional offices and Head Office. The policy will be implemented within the framework of an “Environmental Management System” designed to meet the requirements of BS 8555, to which the company will seek accreditation during 2009/2010.

View our Carbon Footprint impact. Download it here.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The board of the W T Parker Group believes that the long-term future of the Company is best served by acknowledging the interests of all stakeholders, our customers, and members of staff, shareholders and the wider community. The group is committed to its corporate social responsibility activities and will continue to report on them. The Group continues to develop a range of policy statements which will either be posted on the Company’s shared folder or included within the employee handbook.

Ethics
The group insists that its business activities are conducted in accordance with continuously high standards. The ethics policy statement included within the employee handbook provides a framework for achievement of those standards and our sub-contractor code of ethics requires the same high standards.

Employees
All companies within the group carry out induction training to address all general employment and policy issues, following this, a copy of the employee handbook covering all employment matters is issued and signed for.

All site staff are guided by the JIB handbook which gives details of working arrangements, hours, responsibilities etc.

The Group believes in equal opportunities and non-discrimination, our policy statement is available within our recruitment procedures.

We have had our Equal Opportunities policies and procedure accredited by the West Midlands Forum to Level 2 in July 2009, a copy is available upon request.

We aim to treat people fairly. We welcome job applications from all sections of the community and encourage our employees to improve their self development. Existing employees are considered for senior positions before those positions are advertised externally.

The Group complies with its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. In the event of a member of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to continue their employment, with relevant retraining as necessary. All planning and property modifications give consideration to disabled personnel as appropriate. Working environments will be adapted as required to accommodate disabled personnel.

The Group recognises the crucial role training plays in developing the knowledge and skills of employees. Training policies and procedures are generally incorporated within individual Group company quality management systems and many trading companies form strong links with local colleges and training providers.

W T Parker Limited are part owners of Burton Training Organisation Limited (BTOL), which each year takes up to fifteen school leavers on a three year electrical apprenticeship. W T Parker supports these students during this period, attends presentations and events. During the last five years W T Parker apprentices have won “Apprentice of the Year” three times.

In addition we regularly provide one week work experience to students from various local schools.

Communication
Regular monthly “Operational” meetings are held to share information and to seek out mutual opportunities, quarterly Health & Safety meetings to discuss improvements and changes, this includes any Environmental issues. The group issues a newsletter at regular intervals to keep all employees informed of developments and sales opportunities and monthly bulletins are sent to all trading companies covering Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality.

Customers
Customer satisfaction is the key to business success. Quality of product, delivery and service is paramount. The group recognises the importance of formal quality management systems and has accreditation to ISO 9001:2000 to include customer feedback and comments. This is includes a register of customer complaints/satisfaction, the procedure also covers closedown of issues.

Suppliers
All Group companies observe strict guidelines when sourcing raw material or products. Suppliers of imported materials are subject to additional controls regarding environmental and employment aspects of the business, assessment questionnaires are sent to all suppliers.

Donations
W T Parker Limited often makes donations to local schools and provides regular sponsorship for clubs and events.

Environment
The Group has a policy of respect for the environment. It recognises the importance of an environmental management system and is working towards BS 8555. The amount of packaging materials received is monitored and efforts made year on year to increase the amount of recycling being undertaken. Waste is monitored on a regular basis to include correct disposal of hazardous waste and energy usage monitored and controlled annually.

The Company prides itself in the fact that waste is streamed and general waste is sent to recycling centres rather than landfill.

Health and Safety
The Group has a Health and Safety Policy guide, which outlines the minimum standards, expected of all Group companies, and is updated and added to regularly. The Health and Safety department carries out regular audits to ensure compliance with procedures. PPE is also issued and a stock held to ensure no one attends site without correct work wear.

Our policies and procedures are vetted and accredited by CHAS and SafeContractor.