There have been huge developments since the previous company news letter. The principle developments have been:

• Alan Hambidge has further developed the HefmA Safety Solutions on-line resource, which has now been officially launched. Visit www.nhssafetyprocedures.org.uk for details;

• The on-line compliance tracker Health and safety audit is proving popular and gives a score out of 100 for the level of health and safety management compliance. The audit identifies top level actions and provides a spreadsheet of recommendations. This system can be used to chart progress, and many clients are now using it;

• Alan Hambidge is the Chair of the recently established IHEEM Health and Safety Advisory Group. Visit http://www.iheem.org.uk/Health-Safety-Advisory-Group for details;

• Alan Hambidge has again completed successful LCA, CHAS, OSHCR, IOSH CPD etc;

• Alan Hambidge has recently launched his own Linkedin page at www.linkedin.co.uk.  You can join Alan and receive information and news;

• Alan is one of the three Directors of “Wickerman Oxford” a charity support community interest project now in its fifth year. The “Wicker Man Oxford Project” is run by a dedicated team of enthusiastic volunteers, and its purpose is to identify and support a small local charity. Our mission is then to raise awareness of the charity and funds for it by running a competition for local children to design a giant metal and wicker sculpture.  In 2011 the team turned the winning design into a 44 feet tall Wooden / Wicker Sculpture on a metal frame. The sculpture went on a huge tour and was seen by over 2 million people.  We even had a documentary filmed on the project.  Finally the sculpture went up in flames at the Oxford South Park firework display on 5th November 2011 in front of a record 27,000 to 30,000 spectators.  During the year almost 3,000 people were involved in some way in the sculptures construction, and we are proud to have contributed to raising over 100 thousand pounds for charity.

• During 2010 and 2011 Alan developed the IHEEM Water Management Technical Seminars and the Risk Management Technical Seminars.  These proved to be very successful and well received;

• For 2012 Alan has been approached to present on Pseudomonas for IHEEM and on Health and Safety for a new session at Eastwood Park;

• In April 2012 Empathy EC Ltd launched a series of Health and Safety Management Packs for (a) Asbestos; (b) Pseudomonas; (c) Legionellosis; (d) COSHH; and (e) Health and Safety.  The packs are priced at £250 each plus VAT, and as relevant include policy; procedures; risk assessments; training presentations etc.  Contact Alan Hambidge at alan@empathyec.co.uk or 07917 729391 for more details.
  

• Empathy Environmental Consultants Ltd have continued to support the Kingston Colts Youth Football Club.  About five years ago there was a single team teetering on falling apart.  The club is going from strength to strength with now eight teams, including a “mini-kickers” team run by Alan’s wife Sally Hambidge (an ex Southern England Hockey player).  It’s a family activity for the Hambidge’s with Oliver (aged 6) playing in the mini kickers and Tom (aged 11) playing for the Team.  The 11 years had an amazing season entering a local cup with 32 teams and winning it.  This year they have won the league with 3 games to spare, and remain un-beaten with only one draw to their name.  Tom was the top goal scorrer during the season ending in 2011.  We even received a letter from the House of Commons! Well done boys.