Student Postbag

Steven W Walker

"Due to the recent changes in the Construction Design and Management Regulations, I and a number of my colleagues needed to update our knowledge on the subject to bring it in-line with current legislation. Due to the nature of our business we also had a need to cover the full scope of the regulations and include all duty holders.

I therefore contacted Apix Consulting Ltd to see what arrangements could be made to suit the needs of our business. This was a very simple and painless experience. A meeting was set up with an Apix consultant and he tailored a course to suit our requirements.

The course was held over one day and was interactive. The presenter was experienced and very knowledgeable on the subject.

We have now been able to introduce our new learning into our day to day activities, which makes for a more Safety and Health aware team and business.

We fully intend to utilise the services of Apix for any future Safety, Health or Environmental training."

Paul Stokes

"Having been involved in the Safety and Health world for some twenty years l have seen many differing ways of how to manage Safety and Health in the workplace. In the twenty years l have seen myself grow from a Green Safety Representative to a Senior Safety role in a national organisation employing 5000 plus persons and growing each year. With growing comes new build. With new build comes Construction Design and Management Regulations 1994 now 2007 (CDM 07).

So we needed to review and revise our current policy and procedures in line with CDM 07. With this in mind myself and two other colleagues attended the CDM Coordinators course presented by Apix.

Why Apix? Well we have worked with Apix before and found them to be very good, we attend their CDM Seminar and found that to be very informative although we needed a little more, so we discussed what course would be most appropriate for us to attend with the Apix team hence attendance at the CDM Coordinators course.

The course itself was well presented the premises were excellent. The presenter kept the course flowing throughout the day even when posed with some difficult questions from some friendly but concerned Spanish. Which was slightly amusing in some parts taking into account the differing language and cultures.

Following the course we have now put the finishing touches to our revised policy and procedures.

We have decided to engage with Apix to deliver tailored training to our employees in the company who may undertake the role as Client or as CDM Co-ordinator.

We came away re assured that what we had in place currently in our new builds was in line with CDM 07. These new builds are some £100 million pounds plus so its important we get it right.

Its important we can engage with a competent training provider that listens then delivers made to measure tailored solutions.

Although Apix is fairly new as a company they have a wealth of experience and differing competencies within the team which l am sure will keep them well placed within the Safety and Health Premiership and the Champions League in the near future."

Mr.G.White

"Over the 26 years that I have worked in the Chemical, Biological and Power Industries I have been involved with Safety in many different ways. These include Safety committees, Plant risk assessments and Hazard Operability Studies in the design of new plant including the construction/commissioning processes. Since being involved in a Major accident myself in August 2001 my focus on Safety has been intensified by my own personal account of the injuries I sustained and the devastation such simple mistakes can create. This spurred me on to attend the NEBOSH Certificate course with Apix and gain recognised qualifications in Safety and Health. The course was very well laid out and presented by excellent tutors who have vast knowledge of Safety and Health throughout the many different work environments that exist in every day life. With the achievement of the NEBOSH certificate it is now my intention to progress to the NEBOSH Diploma and become more involved with Safety and Health issues and look at the options of working in a full time Safety and Health role."

Dr. Paul Willet

"I have worked in the chemical industry for 20 years and during most of that time served on safety committees, recently this role expanded to include site safety advisor. Because of this I attended the NEBOSH certificate course and it filled in many gaps in my knowledge of Safety and Health and exploded many myths. The course was exceptionally well presented, comprehensive and pitched at just the right level to get the information across in a relevant manner.

Since completing the course I have made some major changes within my company to bring it into line with current practice (e.g. Working at Height Regulations) as well as using the material many times a day when advising on Safety and Health matters which I am now able to do confidently knowing that I am basing this advice on solid facts."

Tony Heathcote

"As the New Facilities Management Team for the Cleveland Police PFI Contract in the Cleveland area my company was looking to strengthen its staff Safety and Health knowledge in line with the requirements of its management role.

Due to the geographical base of our companies business being predominately the south of England I was tasked with the job of locating a more local training consultant to fulfil our requirements.

I contacted Apix consulting to initially undertake a Nebosh certificate block learning course for myself.

The course I found to be extremely well run despite the intensity of the learning requirements all the presenters were really knowledgeable and conveyed the volume of information extremely well.

The course notes and lectures made what was an extremely daunting course very informative and enjoyable.

The Location and facilities at the Wynyard site were excellent and its convenient location to the A19, makes travel extremely easy.

Following my experience with Apix, my company will be using Apix in the future for any training and consultation needs we may have and would have no hesitation in personally recommending Apix to other companies for their Safety and Health needs."