Case Study - Newham Homes Limited

Nature of Work:

Newham Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) set up in December 2005 by the London Borough of Newham (LBN) to manage and improve council housing across Newham. We manage approximately 16,000 properties for the council and 5,500 leaseholder properties.

GBNS has provided since initial appointment a range of asbestos services with particular emphasis on air monitoring, although asbestos surveys have been procured through this contract.

Asbestos testing includes the monitoring of removal projects undertaken by independent licensed asbestos contractors to ensure workplaces are safe for reoccupation together with written documentation for inclusion within the completion Health and Safety Plan. GBNS provide initial background monitoring, enclosure check monitoring during removal works, 4 stage clearance testing, reassurance monitoring following completion of works and personal monitoring on contractors to confirm suitability of work method. GBNS also provide Type 2 and 3 surveys on domestic housing, generally when houses have become void prior to re-occupation by a new tenant. All services are provided on a planned and ad-hoc basis with emergency cover a priority for Newham Homes

Benefits to Customer:

• Consistent levels of quality and reliability of service enables Newham Homes to manage their asbestos removal contractors with a level of trust of competence and safety.
• Provider of air monitoring services with advanced technology during project management works ensures customer has faster awareness of results, with traceable information ensuring confidence in service.
• Customer has confidence in supply chain due to third party auditing of services

Contractual Arrangements:

To ensure a high level of service was possible the Customer was provided a dedicated phone number for emergency and a rota system put in place to ensure resources were available for 24/7 cover.

All surveys and air monitoring are undertaken in accordance with in-house procedures which are fully compliant with HSE Regulations and indeed exceed requirements in a number of key areas (particularly recording and reporting of building materials and types); and all surveys include Priority assessments within the survey report plus a space for the Customer to insert his own findings. Monitoring is reported as soon as work is completed in a printed format for legibility and security, included with plans and all sample results.
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Key Performance Indicators for the contract

1. Response to request within prescribed times
2. reporting within prescribed times for particular type of work
3. Delivery of service within prescribed parameters
4. Reviews of complaints / credits

Contact Details for information

Tony Leigh, Asbestos Manager (Tony.Leigh@newhamhomes.com)
Newham Homes
Property and Asset Management Services
Mechanical and Electrical Section
Direct House, Abbey Road
Stratford
London E15 3LX