To save you searching any further – HSQE stands for Health, Safety, Quality and Environment. A role that is essential within any FM organisation and one we take extremely seriously at Rapid Clean. 

How did you first become interested in health and safety?

Back in the late 1990s, I was working for a house building company in the administration department. One day, a director requested that I go to site delivering PPE equipment and ensuring that everything on site was in order. I admitted to knowing nothing about health and safety, but quickly learnt on the job and my interest was ignited.

After that I started my formal health and safety training, as well as delivering it. I worked largely in the property industry, for managing agents and during that time I took my NEBOSH national general certificates and became IOSH accredited. I also qualified to be a member of the IFWM (Institute of Facilities and Workplace Management).

Training and keeping up to date with legislation is so important. If I get it wrong, that comes back on me. I never forget the successful businessman who I once worked for, pointing out a fire exit that was blocked and saying to me: ‘if there ever was a need to use that exit, lives would be lost’. That comment never left me.

What is it about health and safety that sparks your interest? 

I’ve worked on some really diverse sites over the years; what I love most is the responsibility of looking after people’s safety. I love seeing the progress that we are making in the world of health and safety – I remember the days of people working on a building site with denim shorts on, tops off and a cigarette hanging out of their mouth!

I enjoy learning and want to stay ahead of the game; there is so much opportunity to do that in this field.



What are you looking to focus on at Rapid Clean in the immediate future? 

A key part of keeping our ISO14001 status, is ensuring we are sustainable, efficient, and reducing our carbon footprint wherever possible. There are some more changes we can make at Rapid Clean to improve - reducing the use of paper is up there on my to do list!

I am currently looking at lone workers and ensuring that CMs are aware of our procedures and making sure that anyone working alone is safe. We have recently gone electronic on EET (Electrical Equipment Testing) and all of our new CMs are now fully trained.

In the first few weeks of this role, I mobilised us putting in insulation in the roof of our head office. Last month we had some solar panels, with a view to reducing our energy usage. It's all going in the right direction.

How will Rapid Clean customers be impacted by your role?

A lot of what I do is driven by customers and their specific site needs. This week I’ve been working with a customer who has a cleaner with a very serious food allergy. I needed to ensure that all chemicals on site have the correct COSHH data and this particular cleaner is not at risk.

I will be visiting individual customers to ensure that our procedures are efficient and everything on site is in order. I hope to get round as many as possible.



When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

Most likely outdoors, down at the riding stables caring for my rescue pony Millie. I adore motorbikes and love being a granny to my grandchildren ranging in age from 3-15. I’m working hard at renovating my new house at the moment and starting to get to grips with what is required in the garden!

As you can probably tell, Caroline is bursting with energy and enthusiasm for all things but especially her role as HSQE Manager at Rapid Clean. We are confident that she will actively build on the progress we have already made in this area.

Any customer that feels they would benefit from Caroline's input, can contact her on 0845 0742891 or caroline.macfarlane@rapidclean.co.uk.