Grosvenor Chemicals

Like many other professional companies, Grosvenor Chemicals has operated a quality management system to the ISO 9000 standard for a number of years. In 2000 the standard was changed to a model based on continual improvement. Grosvenor Chemicals made the switch to the new standard ISO 9001-2000, in 2003.

ISO 14001 is another standard based around a model of continual improvement of Environmental Management Systems. In adopting this standard Grosvenor Chemical, in 2003, were responding to a number of drivers. Firstly any company that holds an IPC or PPC permit needs an environmental management system. This need not be a recognised standard but the regulators favour ISO14001 or EMAS. Secondly, more and more clients, although not requiring ISO14001, are sending out supplier questionnaires based around this standard. Finally, any system based around waste minimisation, energy and resource conservation is almost bound to save money.The Grosvenor Chemicals Site falls within the COMAH (Control of Major Accidents and Hazards) legislation this places a number of duties on the company, most importantly to have a thorough Safety Management System. The SMS, as it currently stands, has been operational on the Grosvenor site since 1999 and is well embedded. The company is aiming to gain accreditation to the OSHAS 18001 Safety Management Standard during 2005.

A key initiative implemented at this time was a complete review of the Company’s training system. It needs to be consistent and verifiable. The path that Grosvenor Chemicals chose was National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). To this end, the company became an Approved Centre for NVQ awards, which means that the company can award NVQs provided that the candidates achieved the nationally recognised standards. Quality and consistency is assured by an internal and external audit system that cascades down from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). The scheme provides the company with a consistent, verifiable and independently audited standard of work based competence. The candidate receives a portable and nationally recognised qualification, which is not bound to inhouse systems.

COMAH legislation requires a company to develop and communicate emergency plans to the community. IPC and PPC legislation has put waste emissions in the public domain. Grosvenor Chemicals seeks to make a positive contribution to the local community. An example is our involvement in ‘Children Challenging Industry’, a scheme sponsored by the CIA and York University. The scheme aims to get junior (middle) school children to engage with science. Visits have also been received from older pupils (16 to 18) involved in vocationally based (AVCE) science studies. Contact with industry is a vital part of this programme of study. Grosvenor Chemicals has joined with other local industries in supporting the successful application of one of the local High Schools for special school status. Support has been continued by the Company providing speakers for a series of ‘Community Lectures’ aimed at adults. Another way the company has got involved with the community is through sponsorship. This has included both local sports and a show jumper ‘Grosvenor Vandeman’ a future Olympic hopeful!

Yorkshire Forward has figured again in providing partial grant aid for an initiative aimed at improving work practices. This has been successfully piloted on one part of the works and it is intended to roll this out into other areas. The approach is one that involves the whole of the manufacturing team, not just the managers. The methodology goes under the acronym 5S, which is: Sort, Stabilise, Shine, Standardise, Sustain. The aim of the system is to improve work practices by improving housekeeping, eliminating clutter and streamlining work systems. The team approach not only leads to better solutions but to the better ownership of the results.