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“The HSQE Department has worked closely with HOST to support the organisation’s certification to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. These are all important aspects of HOST’s operation as the principal accommodation supplier to the Hinkley Point C nuclear new build development in Somerset, which will require a workforce of some 5,000 people at peak. The HSQE Department guided the organisation through all the process and procedures in order to gain full accreditation. Kevin McCarthy, Chairman of HOST said: “The HSQE Department’s positive, good humoured and thorough approach was really appreciated by the whole team and ensured the successful implementation of the project. HOST would not hesitate to recommend The HSQE Department for any similar project.””

How HOST earned three ISO certifications in only 3 months

HOST

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The challenge

HOST is a new and ambitious hospitality management company that commissions, runs & improves large-scale accommodation and leisure facilities. On inception, HOST’s executive team made a significant promise to future clients — to achieve three key ISO certifications while the company was still in an embryonic stage.

The three ISO certifications chosen were: ISO9001: Quality Management, ISO14001: Environmental Management and OHSAS 18001: Health and Safety. These management systems enable HOST to effectively manage risk and bid on large scale tenders against mature business entities.

Certifications were required with scale in mind; the models set in place needed to be operationally sound with the ability to flex for future exponential growth. 

The approach 

From its inception, HOST has embedded a standards-focused culture across the organisation. Gaining ISO certification at an early stage was essential to establish a systematic and process-driven approach.

A team was assembled to manage the certification process, led by The HSQE Department’s consultant, Richard Shearwood-Porter. First undertaking a gap-analysis, the team reviewed operational processes identifying opportunities for improvements and recommending a course of action.

Once identified, procedures were put in place, and a model was created for each ISO certification. Systems were fully integrated so that the company had a unified approach to managing service, environmental and safety risks. In 18 months, HOST grew from a single central head office to operating two, large-scale campuses, accommodating 1500 guests and 300 staff.

A UKAS accredited ISO certification body was chosen to assess the management system and award the certificates. 

The outcome 

From start to finish the certifications were achieved in an extraordinary time frame of under three months, a remarkable feat for any company. The management system allowed two campus sites to be brought within its scope with the of minimum effort. These certifications are a marker of HOST’s commitment to clients, freeing them of risk and guaranteeing the standard of all projects.

Highlights of the project include: 

  • The ability to bid for large scale tenders, competing with larger, more mature businesses
  • Reduced risk, lowered operating costs and increased customer satisfaction  
  • Improved consistency for all supply chain partners 
  • Improved staff and employee standards and processes