Pharmaceutical & medical projects
Assessment of risk of changing organisation

2006 - Pharmaceutical Manufacture

The site was piloting a change from a traditional 'functional organisation' to a 'process oriented organisation' incorporating self-managed teams. The objective of the change was to achieve a step change improvement in production performance, but being a COMAH top tier establishment the client had recognised that it could have safety implications. Andy was asked to carry out an organisational risk assessment to highlight potential pitfalls and recommend risk control measures. Working to a tight timescale, Andy was able to use his knowledge regarding team work and supervision to focus on key areas of concern. Interviewing members of the operating teams and facilitating a workshop with members of the change management team he developed a full list of potential threats, which he presented as an objective review of the plans. A number of risks were identified and Andy proposed practical solutions for each. He was able to demonstrate that plans for implementation had to go well beyond the notional 'go live' date, because the new organisation would take some considerable time to develop.
 
Evaluation of the Safe and Healthy Working service (Scotland)

2004 - NHS Health Scotland

Safe and Healthy Working is a service aimed at small and medium sized enterprises to improve occupational health performance as a contribution to the overall health of the Scottish population. This project was a cohort study of awareness and understanding of occupational health, before and one year after the introduction of the service. The study involved telephone and postal surveys, site visits and focus groups. Andy's role was project manager and quality review of the output. Although not actively involved in the research, he made a significant contribution to the completion of the report and overall coordination
 
Managing changes to onsite emergency response team

2004 - Pharmaceutical

The site in question is one of the client' major assets. It has its own emergency team to provide emergency response. In order to improve arrangements and reduce costs the client was looking to make some changes in the way the team was organised. Andy was asked to carry out a qualitative risk assessment of the planned changes and to advise whether the proposal was sensible. Also, to advise on how it should be implemented. Working with a junior colleague, Andy discussed the key issues with all those likely to be affected by the changes. From this the main potential risk factors were identified and evaluated. The conclusion from the project was that the changes could go ahead if certain activities were carried out when managing the change.