CalMac praised for infection control during pandemic

CalMac is the first ferry operator in the UK to receive a top industry verification for its infection risk management processes from independent experts in risk management and quality assurance organisation DNV GL.

CalMac’s health, safety, quality and environmental team (HSQE) worked closely with DNV GL and completed a verification assessment of the readiness of the organisation in managing infection risk from emerging pathogens.

The ferry operator was evaluated and found compliant to a high standard for infection risk management, earning the right to use DNV GL’s My Care Readiness Mark.

All processes were reviewed using the My Care framework which assesses, manages and mitigates infection risk in management systems, business processes and operations. This was carried out through document review, remote discussions with onboard management teams, and included eight site visits. Louis de Wolff, director of HSQE at CalMac, said: ‘The My Care Readiness Mark provides formal recognition of the high standards of health and safety protection on our routes to reduce the risk of infection.

‘This award reaffirms our commitment to ensuring a safe environment for passengers, colleagues and communities, during the current COVID pandemic and beyond.

‘The review process was indepth and rigorous and I am grateful to CalMac staff for their open and honest insight into our processes and how they are implemented across the organisation.’

Aileen Orr, healthcare lead at DNV GL – Business Assurance in the UK, said: ‘Many congratulations to CalMac on this achievement, which is well deserved. I was impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of staff at all levels.’