Coniston Hotel Country Estate Health & Safety Transformation
Providing strategic Health & Safety consultancy, regulatory liaison and long-term management support following a fatal incident at a leading North Yorkshire hospitality and leisure venue.
Health & Safety Project Overview
In 2020, John Green Training & Consultancy Ltd was appointed by The Coniston Hotel, Skipton, following a fatal incident involving a member of the public on the hotel estate.
Although the business had existing Health & Safety arrangements in place, the subsequent investigation by the enforcing authority identified the need for a more comprehensive and proactive Health & Safety management system.
Our appointment initially focused on supporting the hotel through the immediate aftermath of the incident, working collaboratively with the management team and regulatory authorities. This relationship developed into a long-term retained consultancy, with John Green Training & Consultancy Ltd providing strategic Health & Safety support to the business for six years.
The Safety Challenge
The incident highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of Health & Safety arrangements across a large and diverse hospitality estate incorporating:
Hotel accommodation
Restaurants and bars
Spa and leisure facilities
Wedding and conference venues
Estate maintenance operations
4×4 driving experiences
Holiday accommodation
Extensive external roads, car parks and pedestrian routes
In addition to supporting the business during the regulatory investigation, significant improvements were required to strengthen Health & Safety governance, documentation, operational controls and staff competence across every department.
Shortly after our appointment, the COVID-19 pandemic presented an additional challenge, requiring the rapid development of new operating procedures to enable the business to continue trading safely while complying with constantly evolving government guidance.
Our Consultancy Role
John Green Training & Consultancy Ltd delivered a comprehensive programme of Health & Safety consultancy, including:
Undertaking a full Health & Safety gap analysis across the entire estate.
Reviewing every Health & Safety policy, procedure and management document within the business.
Carrying out a detailed audit of external roads, pedestrian routes, parking areas and traffic management arrangements, resulting in significant improvements to site layout, signage, speed management and pedestrian segregation.
Developing a completely revised suite of Health & Safety policies and management procedures.
Producing extensive Risk Assessments covering hotel operations, housekeeping, maintenance, kitchens, bars, spa facilities, weddings, outdoor activities and estate operations.
Developing Safe Systems of Work for all departments.
Reviewing and improving COSHH management arrangements.
Producing and reviewing Fire Risk Assessments across the hotel, spa and estate properties.
Developing contractor management procedures and approval systems.
Implementing inspection regimes, monitoring records and management controls.
Delivering Health & Safety and food safety training to employees across all departments.
Developing and reviewing HACCP documentation and food safety management systems.
Carrying out internal food safety audits and supporting compliance with Environmental Health requirements.
Providing ongoing Health & Safety auditing and management support.
Liaising directly with the enforcing authority and other regulatory bodies throughout the improvement programme, providing evidence of the extensive actions being implemented by the client.
COVID-19 Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked closely with the hotel to interpret rapidly changing government guidance and develop practical procedures that enabled the business to continue operating safely.
This included developing COVID-secure policies, Risk Assessments, operational procedures and staff training programmes covering all areas of the business.
We maintained regular dialogue with the Local Authority and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure the arrangements reflected current guidance and regulatory expectations. The procedures developed enabled the hotel to continue operating while complying with evolving government guidance throughout the pandemic.
The Health & Safety Outcome
The project evolved from an immediate post-incident response into a complete transformation of the hotel's Health & Safety management system.
Over a six-year period, we helped establish robust governance arrangements, modern management systems and a proactive safety culture across every aspect of the business.
Our collaborative approach enabled the client to demonstrate to the enforcing authority that significant and sustained improvements were being implemented, supported by comprehensive documentation, structured training, regular auditing and continual review.
Today, the business operates with a modern, integrated Health & Safety management system covering its hospitality, leisure, maintenance and estate operations.
Health & Safety Services Provided
Retained Health & Safety Consultancy
Health & Safety Gap Analysis
Regulatory Liaison
Health & Safety Audits
Policy Development
Risk Assessments
Safe Systems of Work
Fire Risk Assessments
Traffic Management and External Site Safety
Food Safety Consultancy and HACCP
COSHH Management
Health & Safety Training
COVID-19 Compliance Planning
Ongoing Compliance Auditing
Why This Project Matters
This project demonstrates our ability to support organisations during some of the most challenging circumstances they may face.
Our experience extends beyond traditional Health & Safety consultancy to helping organisations respond to serious incidents, engage constructively with enforcing authorities, implement meaningful organisational change and develop robust management systems that support long-term legal compliance and continual improvement.
Sector: Hospitality, Leisure and Estates
Client: The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa
This case study focuses solely on the professional Health & Safety services provided by John Green Training & Consultancy Ltd. No confidential or legally privileged information has been disclosed.