Expert Ease International - Who We Are

Expert Ease International (EEI) has been providing global solutions for the small to medium business sector since 1996. Initially in face-to-face consultancy and training on the traditional paper and acetate media.

With the explosion in the growth of the Internet and the potential to reach wider audiences EEI researched how the Internet could be used to the advantage of small to medium sized businesses around the globe. The vision was to provide one single dynamic and up-to-date source for all a companies OSH needs, accessible 24 hours a day.

Following a request from City Council officials in Maryland USA, a model OSH Internet was developed which eventually launched as web-safety.com in 1999. At the same time, EEI, as an OSH training agency, was developing a wide range of programs and handbooks on various aspects of OSH in paperback and CD ROM format. In response to a request from a UK-based company for a low cost Hazardous Substances program for delivery to over 1,400 staff and volunteers at over 400 work sites, EEI developed its first program that could be delivered via the Internet, used by all their staff and at times that suited each individual employee.

A number of core concepts concerning the delivery of high quality affordable programmes in OSH for the small and medium sized business sector were beginning to come together at this point. Expert Ease International was promoting the concept of group purchase schemes, whereby a number of businesses would share the cost of training. We were also advocating to trade associations and other client serving agencies that alliances with training agents would allow them to provide high quality services at low cost to their members.

In 2001 a US-based risk management/ loss control agency asked if EEI to provide an online training program that could be passed on to their 1000+ clients. They were provided with a program on Operational Analysis and Control, completed in their corporate livery and logos and the programme produced on a CD and forwarded to all their premium holders as part of their service programme. Later this programme was launched on their web-site for use by potential customers. With that arrangement all of the elements for a unique and innovative approach to the delivery of OSH to the small and medium sized business sectors were now in place.

Having established our expertise in the development of innovative and cost-effective solutions for working in hazardous working environments EEI created Operational Analysis and Control (OAC). This innovative approach to safety and environmental management challenged risk management thinking and has proved to be an effective alternative going on to win awards for both Expert Ease International and Clients. OAC now in use in the USA and in Europe has many manifestations;

Operational Analysis and Control	- The original and still evolving, OAC starts with the premise that absolute control of an operation leads to absolute certainty of outcome. The model approaches with OSH from the fundamental position that sources of harm can be identified if you examine the operation closely enough. Once the sources of harm are identified it is a short but important step to establishing the correct control measures.
Chemical Safety Analysis and Control	- Applied to both HAZCOM compliance in USA and for compliance with hazardous substances requirements in the European Union, CSAC integrates chemical and hazardous substance control into the operation controls associated with the task they are used for.
Design Safety Analysis and Control	- Helping designers consider the full effects of their designs at the drawing board (CAD machine for you younger designers). Safety and health issues are addressed long before the construction begins. The output from the DSAC approach is a construction-phase OSH plan.

In 2006 Expert Ease International set itself the objective of producing a comprehensive Internet facility that would provide employers and employees with the resources necessary to achieve business success through the application of effective work practices.

Utilising the principles underlying the concept of Copyleft Expert Ease International has pulled all of its products into a single user-friendly package, targeted primarily (but not exclusively) at small to medium businesses. The project, launched on International Workers Memorial Day (April 28) 2007 now has;

8. Dedicated customers’ website with facilities for identifying and purchasing appropriate, quality safety materials and equipment.

10. Links to statutory safety bodies, and to over five hundred additional sources of supporting information.

The project is aims to assist individuals and companies develop a total management package covers all the angles including;

Fully auditable on-line databases are currently under development that will allow companies to develop their own management procedures, hazard analysis, safety programs and/ or construction safety plans from a template. This will be supported by an on-line consultation to permit businesses to carry out the work necessary to ensure that their OSH management system and operational control procedures are adapted to their specific requirements.

The project has been developed not only to meet but to go beyond national statutory standards towards global best practice and any aspect of it can be customised to the requirements of individual companies; including company specific imagery, logos and full population (if necessary). For individual companies, the degree of customisation will vary; but for client serving companies, the package will be a generic one with the facilities for individual clients to customise further. Client groups from specific industries (e.g. aviation, construction, mining) may opt for a populated database particular to their industry, before passing it on to their clients.

It is our intention to continue to grow and develop this site. The project, in consolidating all of Expert Ease International’s previous developments into a comprehensive, effective and ethical package represents a significant step forward for our company and the world of work.