Process Optimisation: H&S GAP Analysis

Start-up to scale up. Upp’s vision was to become a trusted and reliable broadband provider to local and regional businesses and consumers.

As part of this vision, CEO, Drew Ritchie, wanted to set high standards of safety both for Upp employees and installation teams working across their network. Upp’s culture is build on everyone living its core values and keeping these front of mind.

This case study explores the partnership between Upp and PSM and the significant progress made in Upp’s health, safety and wellbeing initiatives since Upp’s inception. It examines how Upp’s approach to health and safety leadership and management has been implemented and the results achieved through PSM’s work. It also looks at the challenges faced and the way forward for Upp and PSM in achieving Upp’s business objectives whilst maintaining a strong focus on health, safety and wellbeing.

Drew Ritchie

CEO, Upp Broadband

Working in partnership with Pro Safety Management, we have been able to identify solutions to control risks more effectively across the organisation as we continue to scale that not only meets legal requirements, but also continues our journey in taking a proactive approach to health, safety and wellbeing.

We are grateful to Pro Safety Management for helping us continue to build a positive culture around health and safety within our organisation. We look forward strengthen our partnership with them as we work towards rolling out our approach to health, safety and wellbeing across 2023 and beyond.

Scope of Works

The scope of works for Pro Safety Management’s (PSM) engagement with Upp Corporation Limited (Upp) was to improve their health and safety system to enable them to manage risks more effectively as the business scales. PSM worked closely with Upp’s senior leadership team to provide incremental updates and changes to their health and safety arrangements, training, safe systems of work, and risk assessments.

Core Client Objectives
  • Analyse the current H&S strategy and organisational design based on UPP’s short-term and long-term business objectives
  • Review UPP’s supplier management selection and oversight of partner activities
  • Assess H&S engineering controls related to fibre infrastructure deployment
  • Review internal organisational H&S training and competency
  • Identify the effectiveness of the H&S management system including standards and operating procedures related to, for example, hybrid working and facilities management
  • Support UPP to close out all actions identified throughout the GAP analysis report
  • Review the organisational design of the business and provide feedback to the senior leadership team
  • Assess compliance with the Construction Design Management Regulations (CDM).
  • Advise on the appointment, accountability and role of a lead HSEQ role within the organisation

The Results

Upp has achieved a more mature and comprehensive range of health and safety solutions that meets legal requirements and enables them to scale and manage risks effectively. Upp’s monitoring of standards continues to be optimised to reflect how their business manages its health and safety risk profile.

PSM is also pleased to note that Upp is promoting a net-zero carbon strategy and their approach to sustainability. This demonstrates Upp’s commitment to the environment and the wider community.

This proactive approach to health and safety is a testament to the senior leadership team and employees who remain committed to building a positive culture of zero harm.