Management Systems Policies

The Thamesgate Group is committed to delivering the highest levels of customer service and product quality as a supplier of electrical, energy and building services. The policies covered on this page include:

• Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
• Ethical Policy
• Energy Management Policy
• Quality Policy
• Health & Safety Policy
• Environmental Policy

All policies are reviewed annually.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy

1. General statement
At The Thamesgate Group we recognise the need to integrate our business values and operations with the expectations of stakeholders – clients, employees, suppliers and the needs of the wider community and environment in which we operate. This commitment to our corporate social responsibility is recognised as follows:

2. Business Standards and Ethics
The Thamesgate Group is committed to carrying out all aspects of its business in accordance with rigorous commitment to related legal, professional and ethical standards.

3. Health and Safety
The Thamesgate Group operates a SAFEContractor certified Health & Safety management system and is committed to achieving continuous improvement and the provision of a clean, safe and healthy working environment for its employees.

4. Employees
The Thamesgate Group aims to provide a fair and equal opportunities employment environment, providing individuals with the opportunity to develop and progress their development within the group. Thamesgate operates an apprentice scheme for people looking to enter our related industries and provides funding and time-off for employee development and training. Thamesgate operates an Equal Opportunities Policy for all employees and provide a clear and fair remuneration policy, with safeguards to ensure all employees are treated fairly with respect and without any form of harassment.

5. Customers
The Thamesgate business relies on meeting our stated objective of ‘no dissatisfied customers’. All our employees and sub-contractors are responsible for ensuring a professional, efficient, effective and honest relationship is maintained with our customers, at all times. We manage the quality of our products and services through our ISO9001 Quality Management System and strive for continuous improvement. We proactively seek feedback on our performance and maintain an open communications policy to ensure we fulfill the requirements of this policy.

6. Environment
The Thamesgate Group is committed through our ISO 14001 Environmental Management System to the environment and seeks to reduce our environmental impact throughout our operations. The Thamesgate Group collects and recycles waste materials wherever practical and possible.

7. Energy
The Thamesgate Group monitors its energy usage in accordance with ISO50001 and promotes energy management and renewable power. The company provides consultancy, audits and related product solutions that it endeavors to use throughout its operations.

8. Suppliers
The Thamesgate Group seeks suppliers who share similar values and encourages its suppliers to adopt responsible business policies and practices.

9. Community
Thamesgate encourages an active dialogue with its local community and organisations and supports local activities with its employees for mutual benefit. The company supports the following charities: MacMillan, NewLife Foundation and the NSPCC.

10. Responsibility
The Managing Director is responsible for the implementation of this policy and ensuring that resources are made available throughout the Thamesgate Group to meet our corporate social responsibilities.

Ethical Policy

The Thamesgate Group is committed to operating throughout its organisation, client and supply chain in the most ethical manner possible. To achieve this Thamesgate strives to ensure that:

• Thamesgate goods and services are produced and delivered under conditions that do not involve the abuse or exploitation of any persons.
Thamesgate business practices are transparent, open and honest and that Thamesgate does not involve the company, divisions or associates in any practices that could be considered unethical within any culture.
• Thamesgate supports an environment that is positive and contributes towards the well being and benefit of all concerned.

Energy Management Policy

1. General statement
The Thamesgate Group acknowledges the importance of energy as a necessary resource for successfully meeting its operational objectives and corporate strategy. Thamegate is committed to responsible energy management and will practice energy efficiency throughout its premises and operations, using plant, equipment and resources in the most cost-effective manner to achieve this goal. Thamesgate will:

• Incorporate energy efficiency measures, including alternative and emerging technologies, through best practice in energy efficient design, the selection and sizing of energy-efficient plant and equipment, systems and other energy infrastructure.
• Maintain all plant and equipment, and control and manage systems and energy infrastructure in such a way as to minimise energy wastage.
• Monitor and report on the Company’s energy consumption and identify and implement opportunities for improved energy efficiency.
• Pursue the use of renewable and alternative energy sources to supplement conventional energy sources.
• Address our obligations as a member of the global community including legislative requirements and minimising our impact on the environment.
• Strive to procure, distribute and maintain energy resources at the lowest cost whilst addressing the items above.

Our objective is therefore to manage our energy usage and resources as efficiently as possible so as to minimise waste. To help ensure we give proper consideration to our energy management and environmental responsibilities, this Policy will be implemented, monitored and enforced in accordance with the requirements of the Thamesgate management systems. All staff are expected to work towards the aims of this Policy and co-operate with management in its execution.

2. Implementation
In order to achieve our desired aims, the Policy will be implemented and achieved by:

• Purchasing fuel, energy supplies and other utilities at the most economic cost.
• Reducing the amount of pollution, particularly CO2 emissions, caused by inefficient energy consumption.
• Undertaking regular energy audits by measuring compliance with energy saving options and in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Management System standard BS ISO 50001.
• Investing in a continuous program of energy-saving measures to reduce energy consumption.
• Safeguarding the achieved reductions by continually monitoring performance indicators.
• Raising the awareness of employees on energy conservation matters with the co-operation of all stakeholders.
• Determining areas which would benefit from sub-metering and ensuring such meters are installed.
• Undertaking benchmarking on year-on-year usage(s).
• Having energy consumption data available, collected by monitoring and recording energy usage.
• Reviewing routine maintenance, including major replacements against an energy efficiency checklist to ensure that opportunities to switch fuels, install controls or improve thermal standards etc. are taken.
• Ensuring equipment purchasing policies consider energy consumption for the purchase of all items of equipment and be fully compliant with current best practice.
• Considering new technologies such as renewable energy, where appropriate.

More information can be obtained by calling the Carbon Trust Helpline on 0800 085 2005 or by visiting: http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy/assessyourorganisation/energy_survey.htm.

Quality Policy

The Thamesgate Group of companies provides quality management, co-ordination, manufacture and installation services throughout the UK, Eire and overseas on occasions. The Group has developed its expertise since the formation of Thamesgate Interiors Ltd to achieve the highest possible standards of construction, manufacture, installation and supply of products and service to its customers. It is Thamesgate Group to provide our customers with products and services to the agreed requirements in accordance with the details and price quoted.

The Directors, Management and Staff of the Thamesgate Group companies are responsible for Quality Control through the Quality Management System seeking improvement by constant review, with suppliers and sub-contractors being encouraged to co-operate. The Group is committed to achieving customer satisfaction by the use of quality procedures which will be operated to meet or exceed the requirements of ISO 9001.

Health and Safety Policy

The Thamesgate Group of companies promotes a safe working environment for its employees and observes ‘best practice’ in matters relating to Health & Safety. It is Group policy to:

• Provide a safe environment for staff and visitors to our premises
• Provide adequate control of health & safety risks arising from our work activities.
• To consult with our employees on matters affecting Health & Safety.
• To provide and maintain safe plant and equipment.
• To ensure safe handling and use of materials and substances.
• To provide information, instruction and supervision of employees.
• To ensure all employees are competent to do their tasks and to give them suitable training.
• To prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill-health.
• To maintain safe and health working conditions.
• To review and revise this policy at regular intervals

Environmental Policy

As a responsible UK employer within the design, manufacturing and construction industry, Thamesgate have assessed the consequential impacts of its operations on the environment. This has been done in relation to the resources and energy used by the organisation, together with the energy used, and the impact of products supplied and installed by the company. Thamesgate also recognise the importance of product design, selection and operation in this context (up to and including end of life disposal) and in terms of sustainable development.

The Thamesgate commitment to care for the environment is translated into company policy in the following ways:

• In pursuance of continual improvement in environmental performance. This being achieved through the ongoing development of internal Environmental Management Systems including the regularly review of appropriate measures to prevent or reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint.
• With regard to identified significant environmental aspects, Thamesgate will aim to ensure continued compliance with all known current and future legislation, guidance and best practices.
• Thamesgate aims to set and review objectives and targets associated with identified significant environmental aspects, such as material selection/usage, resource usage, transportation and waste management with the overall aim to reduce the associated environmental impacts of all works associated to Thamesgate business operations and activities.
• Thamesgate will liaise with our suppliers, contractors and customers to find practical, mutually cost effective ways to minimise environmental impacts of common concern, assisting Thamesgate in its quest for continual, sustainable improvements in its overall environmental performance.
• Thamesgate will strive to develop the skills and competences required for relevant staff to manage environmental issues relating to Thamesgate business activities and seek to increase awareness of appropriate environmental issues with all staff, contractors, suppliers and clients.

For any further information please contact us.