PPC121 | MEET THE ASSESOR
In a twist for this issue of PPC magazine, we gave a member the reins. Matt O’Donnell is a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner and Director of iX5 Environmental Services, based in Northampton. Instead of meeting the member, Matt is going to talk us through his experience of meeting a BPCA assessor.
🢁 TOP TIPS
When iX5 Pest Control joined BPCA, we knew membership came with standards, support and accountability. In October 2024, we had our first annual BPCA assessment – a physical, on-site visit from our assessor, Kristian Nettleship.
As someone who’s spent years carrying out audits and inspections as a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner, I’ve seen both sides of the clipboard. Here’s how the day went, what we learned and why I think every member should see the assessment as a chance to grow. And you might even pick up some tips for your own assessment when it comes.
Getting ready
The date was agreed well in advance, and we were told the visit would include:
- A review of our systems, processes and paperwork
- A site visit to a customer
- An inspection of our chemical store and a vehicle.
🢁 Knowing how helpful good preparation is for auditors, I made sure everything was ready; our company procedures manual, staff handbook, training records, visit reports, insurance certificates and waste transfer notes were all printed and waiting when Kristian arrived.
We started with coffee and a chat about the business. Kristian took the time to understand our company ethos, how we operate and our goals for the year ahead.
Then we worked through the documentation. Because it was all neatly prepared, the process was quick and efficient, and we could focus on meaningful discussion rather than chasing bits of paper.
Kristian offered a few practical suggestions for improvement, which we’ve already put into action.
He gave us guidance on quarterly waste return requirements, and some great advice on Environmental Risk Assessments. We discussed office health and safety, and talked him through things like our fire risk assessment.
On-site and in the field
Next, we looked around our warehouse and chemical store. Having a commercial premises with clear storage areas made it straightforward to demonstrate how we keep things organised.
Kristian checked a van too, making sure everything was safe and compliant.
🢁 Our maximum carrying list was being stored behind the sun visor at the time, but he advised that we display it on the bulk head behind the driver, with UK manufacturer numbers on.
We had some great discussions about waste management, safety and good practice. What I appreciated most was Kristian’s open approach. He was firm on the essentials but willing to talk through different ways of doing things.
"Healthy debate is vital in professional auditing, and this visit was a perfect example of that."
For the site visit, I offered him a choice: a new commercial contract or a domestic rat job that had been giving us a challenge.
🢁 He chose the rat job, saying most assessments focus on tidy commercial sites. It turned out to be a good call: a partially-hoarded domestic property with signs of significant rat activity. It was useful to get Kristian’s second opinion, and he enjoyed seeing a real-life scenario too.
The outcome
By the end of the day, I felt we’d both benefited. Kristian saw a genuine picture of how we work, and I gained valuable insights and reassurance about our systems. Most importantly - we passed!
My top tips for other members
- Be prepared - Have your documentation ready. It saves time and shows professionalism.
- Lead the visit - It’s your business, so set the pace. The assessor will tell you if they need more detail.
- Ask questions - If you don’t agree with something, talk it through. Assessors welcome constructive discussion.
- See it as support, not scrutiny - BPCA wants members to succeed. The process helps confirm your compliance and highlight where to improve.
- Choose an interesting site - Don’t just show your easiest job. Use the visit as an opportunity to get feedback.
- Enjoy it - Assessments are a chance to learn, share ideas and strengthen your business.
Final thoughts
Our BPCA assessment was a positive and worthwhile experience. It confirmed that our systems are strong, highlighted a few small areas to tighten up and gave us a fresh perspective on our work.
If you approach the assessment with openness, organisation and curiosity, you’ll come away stronger for it. The assessment is there to help you prove that your business meets the standard, but BPCA wants members to succeed. Remember that.
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