Hillhouse gain ISO 45001 accreditation

17 January, 2019

Scottish SME completes full list of technical, environmental and occupational health and safety standards

HILLHOUSE Group, based in Troon, south-west Scotland, are a privately-owned SME whose operations include quarries, asphalt plants, ready-mixed concrete, precast concrete products, masonry blocks and road surfacing. They currently employ around 140 people.

Following the company’s successful transition to the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards in December 2017, Hillhouse took the decision to expand their certifications to cover the management of their occupational health and safety (OH&S).

Although the company did not have an externally certified OH&S management system, the decision was taken to fast-track certification to ISO 45001:2018 as soon as possible.

To this end, Hillhouse appointed BSI to carry out a GAP analysis to the ISO 45001:2018 standard in December 2017, to determine their level of compliance. Following the GAP analysis, Hillhouse set an objective to achieve certification in 2018.

Hillhouse were able to meet the first part of their objective and completed the Stage 1 audit in April 2018. As the ISO 45001 standard requires consultation and the participation of workers, Hillhouse implemented a consultation programme and involved workers in the process leading up to the Stage 1 audit. This has benefitted both the employees and the company at large.

Having achieved a favourable Stage 1 audit, the decision was taken to continue with the objective to achieve formal certification. Hillhouse were recommended certification to ISO 45001:2018 on 16 July 2018 and, following the required verification checks, were issued with their certificate on 23 August 2018.

Hillhouse say this certification has been welcomed across the business and is seen as an indication of the company’s development over the last few years. It also completes the full list of technical, environmental and now occupational health and safety standards, highlighting the cross-functional capability of the Hillhouse Group.