Safe Working Practice
Safe Working Practice
Occupational health and safety group
Background
Safe Working Practice (SWP) was established in the Western Cape in 2008 and was initially known as Health and Safety (H&S) Consultancy. While operating mainly in the construction industry they were always open to growth opportunities in other industries and in recent years, have expanded into the manufacturing, production and agriculture industries and even schools and education. In the face of changing legislation health and safety compliance is a long-term reality and a vital consideration in almost every type of business, regardless of the industry. Currently there are 14 active franchisees and three company owned offices comprising a total staff compliment of over 140 personnel conducting more than 12,000 audits per annum.
As the company expanded, access to information proved to be one of their biggest challenges. This ultimately inspired the development of the SWP software system that allows them to exercise control, share information, obtain standardised inputs and ensures quality reporting and document control. This system became the backbone of their business, contributing positively to their growth.
Having established a reputation in the occupational health and safety industry for their consistent service excellence, SWP now offers aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to build and sustain a profitable business in this field.
The concept under the spotlight
An SWP franchise is a relatively easy business to operate and manage with straightforward rules and business practices. SWP franchisees enjoy the security of participating in a viable, sound and expanding business industry that has proven itself resistant to economic stresses. The fact that franchisees are able to access multiple income streams has contributed to the success of the business model. New franchisees are advised to start out as a one-man operation while they build their client base. When the client base warrants it or when it becomes financially feasible, the franchisee can appoint a consultant to attend to site visits, allowing the franchisee to once again focus on growing their business.
In addition to conducting occupational health and safety audits, premises audits, and health and safety inductions, SWP franchisees may be called upon to carry out incident investigations, compile safety plans and files, method statements, safe work procedures, fall protection- and emergency evacuation plans. Franchisees may also be involved in submitting construction work permit applications and dealing with representatives from the Department of Labour.
SWP is the only health and safety consultancy that can offer companies an electronic safety solution that is backed by the knowledge of safety professionals. The franchisor’s i-Manage Safety Management System (IMS) is a great income opportunity for franchisees, who automatically qualify to become licenced agents. IMS was developed in line with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) and is unique in the South African market. The i-Manage system software is fully customisable; while it is powerful enough for use in multi-national company with remote locations, it can just as easily be modified for a single user. The system has been applied with great success in the construction, agricultural, educational, manufacturing and retail industries. Essentially, the system allows companies to outsource their safety liability to professionals, while retaining access to their own system and benefitting from the value add created by the electronic system. Your safety system therefore becomes a management system.
i-Manage Safety is an electronic safety management system that is changing the way we do safety. Value adds of the i-Manage Safety system:
- App driven.
- System-driven workflow.
- Standardised documentation and accurate management reports.
- Continuous compliance —items requiring attention can be viewed on the dashboard.
- Planning — items due to expire, such as training certificates, can be viewed on a calendar and reminder emails help to drive compliance.
- KPI’s can be established through electronic registers.
- Accelerate the pace of business — non-conformances issues can be escalated immediately.
SWP’s national footprint allows them to offer a cost-effective solution to businesses anywhere in South Africa and their electronic reporting system enables them to guarantee quality and consistency in any industry. Typically, the services provided by SWP are sought by project developers, architects, consulting engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, safety representatives, H&S Managers, site/business managers, factory/production managers and engineers.
Franchisor support
SWP has developed and cemented sound long-term national relationships and contracts within the health and safety industry and various state departments. SWP franchisees benefit from the credibility of the SWP name and its unsurpassed backup and support. Franchisees have immediate access to a proven concept including a unique integrated software and online system that accommodates reporting in compliance with the OHS Act in a real-time environment. As far as possible, the franchisor assists franchisees to become registered with professional bodies such as The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP).
During the initial 6-week induction training franchisees are instructed on all the facets of running a successful SWP business. The franchisor also provides ongoing training to ensure that franchisees stay abreast of any changes and developments in the health and safety field.
SWP is registered on various databases and any leads generated are passed on to the appropriate franchisee. Leads also often spill over from one franchise area to another, particularly regarding national clients and these referrals are passed on to the relevant franchisees.
Do you fit the profile?
As an SWP franchisee you must be dedicated and enjoy working with people. An all-round ability that allows you to manage the marketing, client liaison, auditing and reporting functions will serve you well. A background in Health and Safety, construction, manufacturing or engineering would be advantageous, but is not essential.