First class result for First Choice - again

First Choice Homes' base in Oldham

The highest standard of health and safety for customers and employees has been met by First Choice Homes Oldham for the second year running.

The housing association’s property care service, which provides repairs and maintenance for its properties, was awarded the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001) accreditation, which was presented by QMS International.

The accreditation is recognised by the Health and Safety Executive.

The property care service had to demonstrate it met all the criteria for providing the best level of health and safety in the workplace, and that it is reducing risks to employees in all aspects of their work.

Siobhan McCoy, General Manager of First Choice Homes Oldham’s property care service, said: “I’m delighted that the hard work and commitment of our colleagues has been recognised again.

"The standard shows the Property Care service meets legal requirements and we are dedicated to a strong health and safety culture.

"It also shows our commitment to reducing personal risks to employees as well as the costs to our business by adopting proactive rather than reactive controls.

"We work hard to keep everyone safe and our services productive.”

First Choice Homes Oldham created an electronic risk assessment that all Property Care employees must complete before they start work in a property.

This has allowed them to identify risks and ultimately complete a job safely for themselves and customers.

The service also has a process in place where managers visit employees while they are working in customers’ homes to make sure they are following health and safety processes and procedures and ensure compliance.