Adele Wood
Overview
BACKGROUND: Risk Protection Solutions was registered as a Limited company in 2011.
The Lead Consultant and Managing Director is Adele Wood, who has been working as a Safety Professional for more than 25 years. Adele is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH).
Prior to Risk Protection Solutions, Adele was a Safety Manager for the Global Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Ltd, based at their Lower Tier COMAH* site in Kent.
The majority of our consultancy work is in support of high hazard/high tech industries and organisation in the scientific sector, including Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering and Research Institutions. In addition, Adele also has a broad range of Health & Safety experience in the Public Sector, having worked for Local Authorities. Most recent assignments have also included the delivery of Health and Safety training for The Home Office (UK Border Force, Ministry of Justice, Treasury Solicitors Office) and the NHS.
With an Honours Degree in Chemistry, Adele originally started out as a Development Chemist in the Oilfield and Pharmaceutical Industries of Teesport and Liverpool. This involved trouble-shooting and optimising chemical processes from laboratory through to production scale, as well as developing material hazard information. The career change from Chemist to H&S professional stemmed from volunteering to be the employee Safety Rep!
WHAT WE DO BEST: putting the theory into practice.
The following is a list of some of the H&S topics we excel at:-
- Management Systems (Including ISO 45001/ISO 14001/BS 25999)
- Risk Assessment Hazardous Substances - CoSHH, CLP, GHS, REACH
- Hazard Study Leadership (E.g Hazop)
- DSEAR / ATEX
- Training Development & Delivery
- Machinery Safety & CE Marking
- Inspections, Gap Analysis & Audits
- Fire Safety
- Performance Measurement & continuous improvement
- Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis
- Training
COMPETENT HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCE:
We understand that safety is not your core business and there may be times when you need some additional professional guidance to help you to meet your legal duties. We offer a "Competent Person Support" service to help you do just that. We will act as your external provider of professional competent Health and Safety resource, providing proactive, as well as reactive, guidance and advice associated with the day-to-day operational aspects of the business.
Grounded in science, but with a broad range of technical experience and expertise in the many and varied disciplines of Health and Safety, gives us the edge - these are our strengths, our unique selling point if you will. With a contemporary technical skill set and rounded corporate awareness, backed up by a proven track record of delivering value added results to the customer, we are confident in our ability to be able to apply the core fundamentals of Risk Management to your business operations. (Please see our range of client Testimonials on our website).
TRAINING:
We develop and deliver training courses tailored to the specific needs and operational profile of organisations. Adele is also a NEBOSH tutor and delievers IOSH accredited courses (e.g IOSH Managing Safely) in her role as a "Specialist Trainer" for a number of well known National Training Orgnaisations.
What makes us different? - To compliment our H&S skills, we have gained experiene across the disciplines of Emergency Management, Crisis Management and Business Continuity. So, unlike other more traditional Health and Safety consultancies, the scope of services offered by Risk Protection Solutions embraces an even wider approach to risk management than just Health and Safety.
Our proven track record and expertise is what you need to safeguard your livelihood, your workforce and your reputation. Contact us today to discuss how we could help you.
[*The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations]Specialisms
Industry | Years Experience |
---|---|
Chemicals | |
Education | |
Engineering | |
Fire and rescue services | |
Health services | |
Local government | |
Manufacturing | |
Plastics | |
Public services | |
Surface engineering |
Topic | Years Experience |
---|---|
Business benefits | 24 |
Chemicals | 25 |
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) | 20 |
Hazardous Substances (COSHH) | 25 |
Equipment at work | 25 |
Fire and explosion | 25 |
GHS (Globally harmonised system) | 10 |
Managing for health and safety | 25 |
Manufacture / Import of Chemicals (REACH) | 20 |
Risk management | 25 |
Better regulation | 25 |
Services
Bespoke Training
I work with clients to support people and talent development. For example:-
- Developing and delivering training courses for organisations in practical risk management topics. Including for example: H&S Management Systems, COSHH, DSEAR, Risk Assessment, Accident reporting/Investigation, Manual Handling, Laser Safety, Fire Safety and Auditing and Inspections.
Here are some examples to illustrate the range of practical training experience.
I have, for example:-
- Developed and delivered technical training packages for the National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
- Delivered H&S training for Home Office and Government Agencies e.g. UK Border Force, Ministry of Justice, The Treasury Solicitors Office and the NHS.
- Developed and implemented induction programs for new starters to businesses.
- Coached and mentored company Safety Representatives and Managers, enabling them to successfully achieve the NEBOSH certificate.
- Delivered Environmental Management workshops at annual community outreach events for local schools.
COSHH
I have a wealth of technical expertise and practical experience in working with Hazardous and Dangerous Substances. This section is tagged under CoSHH, but extends to incorporate DSEAR, COMAH, CLP and REACH.
The following are example of projects delivered to illustrate expertise:-
- Developed CoSHH compliance systems for a range of organisations, and advised on practical control measures to prevent exposure.
- Translated legislative compliance into business essentials. E.g. ATEX/DSEAR for a lower tier COMAH site and CLP/REACH/GHS for Global Biotech. Protected businesses from consequences of a negative audit by Regulatory Authorities, and protected people and property from potentially uncontrolled risks.
- Audited CLP & REACH compliance for several scientific research and manufacturing organisations. Developed actions plans to support transition from CHIP to CLP, and to formulate compliant Safety Data Sheets to maintain supply chain.
General consultancy
Risk Protection Solutions Ltd undertake an advisory role for clients.
This is support in line with the requirements of Regulation 7 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 regards accessing competent Health and Safety assistance.
In addition to providing dedicated time on site working directly for our client, we will also be on call for help and advice by telephone and e-mail throughout the contracted period and will provide updates on health and safety legislation relevant to your operations.
This popular service is being provided successfully to clients in many varied industry sectors. For example:-
- Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology
- Plastics manufacture
- Surface Engineering
With the ability to capitalise on readily available remote communications systems, such as "Skype", we can support readily your operations with out the need for time consuming (and expensive) travel.
Audits
Risk Protection Solutions provide independent, expert inspection and audit services. We can undertake the inspections and audits for you, establish systems where they do not currently exist or assist you to critique your existing systems to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Supported, developed and led audits of management systems for organisations in the UK, EU and Ireland in line with the HSE's revised HSG 65 and the standards OSHAS 18001 and ISO 14001.
Fire
Risk Protection Solutions Ltd will guide you through compliance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety ) Order 2005, so you know the fire risk associated with your business operations and premises and what you need by way of policy, procedures, arrangements and records.
Fundamentally its about protecting life, business interruption and loss of market share, inability to meet orders because you have nowhere else to trade, prosecutions and damaging PR etc, etc.
We recognise that Fire is not the only area of emergency management client need to address.
In addition to general life stafey arrangements, I have specific technical expertise associated with Incident Preparedness, Emergency Planning and response. For example:-
- I was a key member of the Pfizer Site Emergency Tactical Response Team, executing role of Safety Expert and Information Manager. Successfully participated in several real time incidents including the discovery of a WWII grenade at a Pfizer satellite facility, major chemical spills, site interruption due to severe weather and flooding. I also participated in exercises with the blue light emergency services.
- I have developed COMAH Site Emergency Plans and trained Incident Controllers.
- Completed risk assessments of shore based and launch activities for the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat Crew (Isle of Wight). Enabled Coxswain to confirm adequacy of their existing controls and target areas for improvement. Improved standardisation and effectiveness of training process.
- I executed the role of EHS Expert on the Pfizer UK Pandemic Crisis Management Team. Completed an analysis of the risk to operations and liaised with other subject matter experts to develop the UK Pandemic Plan to safeguard Business Critical activities.
- Completed Fire and First Aid Risk Assessments for clients.
Consultation, Communication & Governance mode
The merits of consulting with your employees on EHS matters and fostering an engaged and motivated workforce to maintain and lift productivity are also a legal requirement.
I have had the opportunity to lead the successful redesign and improvement of Safety Governance and Consultation systems to better align with commercial re-organisation.
My actions have created enthusiasm amongst Senior Leaders and operational allies to secure their engagement and support to implement this major change. Benefits included improved use of resources and time with the consequence of financial savings in the region of £18k, a recovery of 1224 people hours back to core business deliverables and a reduction in ongoing administration effort by 2/3rds of what it had previously been.
Hazards Identification and Risk Management
Risk assessments are a fundemantal planning tool. Risk Protection Solutions Ltd are able to assist you on the basic principles of Risk Assessment methodology and guide you in the establishment of Risk Assessment procedures and pro-formas for your company.
We will develop your risk profiling strategies, linking legal compliance and risk ranking activities to help you ensure your business understands what needs to be done to prevent harm to peoples and profits.
Performance measurement and review
Do you know what would "good" H&S performance look and feel like for you?
We can help you establish suitable Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) and implement systems for data collection and interpretation. Not just a random number generator, but a valued tool to help you focus your efforts on those areas of your business that need it.
Risk Protection Solutions are experienced in the establishment of KPI's, measuring and reviewing performance, having done so within large and complex organisations. I have, for example, devised and delivered Pfizer’s first integrated Process Safety Management System with Performance Indicators for business critical plant.
Let us assist you to easily manage your EHS performance and demonstrate the benefits that will be gained to the overall success and agility of your Business.
DSEAR & ATEX
Do you have any flammable or explosive materials at your site? Whether you store them, process them or dispose of them you need to understand where you generate flammable or explosive atmospheres. Can you eliminate the risk? If not, you will need control and mitigation measures to prevent flammable/explosive air mixtures forming and being ignited with catastrophic consequences.
We can assist you to establish a DSEAR/ATEX management system including explosion Protection Portfolios incorporating your Basis of Safety, qualitative Hazardous Area Classification Assessment to identify zones for dusts, vapours and liquids which will help you draft your zoning drawings and DSEAR Operational Risk Assessments.
Accident Investigations and Root Cause Analys
Investigation and subsequent establishment of the root cause, or lowest denominator failing, which contributed to the Accident/Incident is essential if you are going to avoid superficial finger pointing and a damaging "blame culture".
Risk Protection Solutions can run investigations for you as well as assist you to establish good internal systems to support proactive reporting including essential investigation awareness for your staff.
First Aid
The Health and safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 place a duty on employers to provide "adequate and appropriate" first aid equipment, facilities and people.
We can assist you to assess what would be "adequate and appropriate" in your organisation and workplace by completing a thorough First Aid Risk Assessment. The findings and recommendations detailed within the risk assessment we prepare for you will enable you to meet your legal duties. It will also provide you with the peace of mind that the level of First Aid cover you implement as a result will be directly suited to the particular hazards and scale of your operations.
Hazard Study Leadership
There are occassions when a standard Risk Assessment approach is not rigorous enough, for example when you are assessing highly technical processes and during the detail design or modification of a complex item of plant or equipment.
We are able to assist you by providing trained Hazard Study Leaders who can work with your technical experts, facilitating reviews throughout all stages of a project lifecycle i.e. concept design reviews, simple or complex detail design reviews, commissioning phase reviews, pre handover reviews, post use reviews and decommissioning reviews.
Work History
Role | From - To | Job Title / Description |
---|---|---|
Development Chemist | 08.1992 - 10.1994 | Trouble shooting chemical processes in the Pharmaceutical and Oilfield chemical industries based in the North West and North East of England. Technology transfer and scale up from laboratory to plant scale processes. In addition to my role as a Chemist, I was the Health and Safety representative for the laboratories and author of product Safety Data Sheets. |
Health and Safety Officer | 01.1995 - 08.1998 | Part of a team of Health and Safety professionals supporting the various operations undertaken by Local Authorities in the North East of England. I supported a workforce of around 4,000 employees across a range of deparments and functions, for example:-
|
Health and Safety Manager | 08.1998 - 08.2011 | Working for Pfizer, the Global Pharmaceutical Organisation at their European Research hub in Kent (UK). Providing in house H&S expertise and technical support to enable the work of the Scientific Lines and their leadership teams:-
....and other support functions, for example:-
|
Managing Director at Risk Protection Solutions Ltd | 09.2011 - 10.2045 | See profile .... |
Membership of Professional Bodies
Professional Body | Membership | Member since | OSHCR Eligible Since |
---|---|---|---|
IOSH | Chartered Member (CMIOSH) | 04.1998 | 09.2005 |
Qualifications
Accrediting Institute | Type | Qualification | Date passed |
---|---|---|---|
Other | Degree or Above | BSc (Hons) in Chemistry | 07.1991 |
NEBOSH | Diploma | National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health | 08.1999 |
Further Information
Examples of Professional Technical courses attended
Environmental Manager 2a: Waste and Contaminated land (IOSH)
Environmental Manager 2b: Emissions to air and land (IOSH).
Hazop Leader – Institution of Chemical Engineers. (IChemE)
Fire Risk Assessment: Principles and Practice. (IOSH)
Health and Safety Management Systems Auditing (RoSPA)
Hazard Studies – Techniques & how to Lead them (ABB)
Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Assessment (Chilworth Technology)
ATEX and DSEAR (Imburex/Chilworth Technology)
Conference Presentations
IOSH Conference 2013 (London Excel) – Developed and delivered a Core Skills+ Workshop
“Practical advice and guidance on COSHH”
Institute of Animal Technology Congress 2012 – Co Author/Winner of Best Presentation -
“Dangerous Animals and Avoiding Disasters”
Containment for Pharmaceuticals (London) 2001 - "Strategies and technologies for controlling worker exposure to potent pharmaceuticals in development and scale up activities"