POLICY STATEMENTS

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a consulting engineering firm specialising in the field of Building Services (MEP) Engineering.

B&W is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity and inclusion amongst its workforce. The aim is that our workforce will be representative of all sections of society and each Employee feels respected.
To that end the purpose of this policy is to provide equality and fairness for all in our employment and not to discriminate irrespective of:

• Gender, marital or family status
• Religious belief or political opinion
• Race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin.
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All Employees, whether part-time, full-time, or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for employment, promotion, training, or any other benefit will be based on aptitude and ability. All employees will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, and the talents and resources of the workforce will be fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the Company. We are committed to the following equality principles:

• To create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our staff are recognised and valued.
• Every employee is entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
• Training, development, and progression opportunities are available to all staff.
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace is good management practice and makes sound business sense.
• We will review all our employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness.
• Breaches of our equality, diversity and inclusion policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings.
• This policy is fully supported by the Directors and has been agreed with staff.

The local Directors are specifically responsible for effective implementation of this policy. However, all Employees are required to actively support this policy and help create the equality environment envisaged.

To implement this policy, we will ensure that the policy is communicated to all employees, through induction, team meetings, distribution, and display of written documentation, via the recruitment procedures, etc.

Who is this policy statement for?

Copies of this Equality and Diversity policy statement will be issued to all those with an interest. This statement will be promoted to employees, be available upon request to our customers and representatives of the local communities in which we operate.

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a consulting engineering firm specialising in the field of Building Services (MEP) Engineering.

It is B&W’s policy to achieve a quality of behaviour, product and service thatsurpasses our client’s needs and expectations with respect to environmental management and sustainable development. By adopting an integrated management system that is compliant with ISO 14001:2015 we can ensure that our processes are planned to allow all staff to achieve our
very high standards as efficiently and consistently as possible, minimising the impact of the Company activities on the environment.

It is B&W’s senior management teams’ duty to ensure all staff are empowered to share the responsibility of implementing the QSE System and in turn, it becomes the responsibility of all staff to ensure that our services are conducted in accordance with the systems set.

Our environmental commitments

We will demonstrate our commitment to the protection of the environment through:

• The promotion of sustainable development in all our business activities.
• Compliance with legal and other relevant requirements.
• Training, education, and information for our employees on environmental issues that may affect their work.
• The continual improvement of our environmental performance throughout our operations and activities.
• Minimising waste and pollution throughout our operations and activities.
• Striving for net zero carbon by 2030.

Our environmental objectives

To underpin these six commitments, we have adopted the following strategies:

• Engage with our Clients and peers to promote, design and deliver sustainable outcomes to meet their expectations and needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Management and reduction of waste from our operations and activities.
• Adoption of energy and water efficiency best practice in our design and our construction activities.
• The identification and management of environmental risks associated with our business activities.
• Consideration of our neighbours, wildlife, and the wider environment.
• Promotion of improved environmental performance by our contractors and suppliers.
• Achievement and maintenance of an environmental management system conforming to ISO 14001:2015.

Environmental performance

Our objectives will be delivered through a programme of environmental targets and will be managed and monitored by our motivated team.

Who is this policy statement for?

Copies of this environmental policy statement will be issued to all those with an interest. This statement will be promoted to employees, be available upon request to our customers and representatives of the local communities in which we operate.

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a consulting engineering firm specialising in the field of Building Services (MEP) Engineering.

B&W continues to maintain a long-standing commitment to respecting human rights, including the elimination of slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and business operations. The aim is to affirm a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and to expect all those in our supply chain to comply with our values.

All Employees, whether part-time, full-time, or temporary, will be safeguarded, treated fairly and with dignity and respect from their recruitment process and through all their career within our company. Our supply chain will be monitored as well to prevent any acts or omission that could be interpreted or lead to possible illegal or inhumane labour practices.

We are committed to the following principles:

• To maintain a clear policy preventing slavery and human trafficking.
• To examine our supply chain and be clear with key providers regarding any possible illegal or inhumane labour practices.
• To seek to raise awareness so that our employees know what B&W is doing to promote their welfare.
• To inform our Employees on the role they have in the active monitoring of suppliers and in the reporting to their management if they suspect a person or persons in the supply chain could be controlled or forced by someone to work or provide services illegally.
• To keep eyes and ears open on any situation in the supply chain that could be considered as modern slavery or human trafficking.
• This policy is fully supported by the Directors and has been agreed with staff.

The local Directors are specifically responsible for effective implementation of this policy. However, all employees are required to actively support this policy.

To implement this policy, we will ensure that the policy is communicated to all employees, through induction, team meetings, distribution and display of written documentation, via the recruitment procedures, etc.

Who is this policy statement for?

A copy of this Global Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy Statement promoted to Employees, be available upon request to our Customers and Representatives of the local communities in which we operate.

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a consulting engineering firm specialising in the field of Building Services (MEP) Engineering.

It is B&W’s policy to achieve a quality of product and service that surpasses our client’s needs and expectations. By adopting integrated management systems compliant with ISO 9001:2015 we can ensure that our processes are planned to allow all staff to work toward achieving our very high standard of product and services as efficiently and consistently as possible.

It is B&W’s senior management teams’ duty to ensure all staff are empowered to share the responsibility of
implementing the QA System and in turn, it becomes the responsibility of all staff to ensure that our services are
conducted in accordance with the systems set.
Our staff are our greatest asset in attaining our goal to be market leaders – our energy, drive, motivation, innovation, passion, and commitment give us our competitive edge. It is B&W management’s responsibility to ensure we maintain these traits in all B&W’s staff throughout the practice.

Our quality commitments

We will demonstrate our commitment to quality through:

• Providing a focus and exceeding on customer requirements.
• Compliance with legal and other relevant requirements.
• The continual improvement of our performance throughout our operations and activities.
• Promote the use of process approach and risk-based thinking.
• Ensuring the quality management system identifies and addresses risks and opportunities that can affect
  conformity of products and service and the ability to enhance customer satisfaction.
• We will equip employees with the competencies and skills necessary to achieve their objectives and targets.

Our quality objectives

• Achievement and maintenance of a quality management system conforming to the current ISO 9001 standard.
• Achievement and maintenance of an information management system for projects using BIM processes
  conforming to ISO 19650-2:2018
• Monitoring and improving the satisfaction of our customers.
• Managing our processes carefully to maximise the benefits to our clients.
• Adoption of best practice in our construction activities
• The identification and management of critical and business activities
• Promotion of improved performance by our contractors and suppliers

Quality performance

Our objectives will be delivered through a programme of quality targets and will be managed and monitored by our motivated team.

Who is this policy statement for?

Copies of this quality policy statement will be made freely available to all those with an interest. This statement will be promoted to employees, be available upon request to our customers and representatives of the local communities in which we operate.

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is committed to respecting privacy and implementing systems that support our duty of confidentiality and in all our business relationships, and this confidentiality policy explains how we expect our business to treat confidential information.

Our business will unavoidably receive and manage personal and confidential information concerning employees, projects, clients, partners, and our company. As such, we will strive to ensure that this information is well-protected.

Aims of this policy

The purpose of this Confidentiality Policy is to lay down the principles that must be observed by all who work with B&W and have access to confidential information.

This policy, where relevant, should be read in conjunction with the appointment letter and / or employment contract applicable to B&W employees, and other work rules, policies, and procedures applicable to B&W employees.

Scope

This policy applies to all B&W employees, contractors, sub-consultants, temporary employees & workplace students (all hereinafter referred to as employees).

Confidential workplace information within B&W is generally broken down into three categories: employee personal information, management information and project information.

Employee Personal & Management Information: All personal data of all employees and business management information will be kept safe, secure, and up to date in accordance with all local law and legislation including the Data Protection Act 2018. Compliance with this act is B&W’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will be adhered to as a minimum in the absence of any regional requirement.

Project Information: All B&W projects will, as a minimum follow signed industry standard forms of appointment which shall typically include straightforward obligations on both parties not to disclose confidential information. The nature of this ‘confidential information’, and how far the obligation extends, will vary between the different forms of contracts.

Standalone Non‐Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

Our clients may have specific concerns about confidentiality, driven by the nature of their business or the project, and therefore wish to have a stand-alone NDA to reinforce the obligations placed on B&W, and in turn, our supply chain.

The B&W QSE technical operating procedures for ‘appointment and project control’ ensure that NDA requirements are considered with our clients on all projects (and maintained where applicable).

Our project NDA register is available to view by all staff and maintained by our Legal and Commercial Teams via our company SharePoint site.

Maintenance of Confidentiality and Non‐Disclosure:

On all projects, B&W project managers will establish the requirement for an NDA and implement where required. Once in place employees will:

• Lock or secure confidential information at all times.
• Use secure waste removal service.
• Confidential information is viewed on secure devices only.
• Only disclose information to other employees when necessary and authorised.
• Store confidential documents inside our Company premises (unless it’s necessary to move them for project/security purposes)
• Encrypt electronic information and safeguard databases.
• Implement a senior management authorisation procedure to control employee access to certain confidential information.

Exceptions

All our project appointment and standalone NDAs shall clearly define what information is to be treated as confidential, and the uses and disclosure that can be made of it. The definition shall not be so wide as to hinder our ability to perform the services or restrict our ability to comply with our obligations under these agreements.

In all instance, B&W confidentiality obligation agreement should not apply to the following information which shall be expressly excluded from our agreements, namely information that is;

• already in the public domain
• provided by third parties.
• already known to the consultant independently
• required to be disclosed by law.
• developed independently.
• disclosed otherwise than by wrongful disclosure.
• necessary in connection with entry into the appointment
• required for the proper performance of the services, or
• to be used in any legal proceedings

Breaching the duty of confidentiality

B&W will investigate all potential breaches of this confidentially policy.

Any staff found to be in breach will face action in line with our company disciplinary procedures.

Where appropriate, employees may be subject to legal action in response to breaches, to mitigate damages to B&W and our clients.

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a consulting engineering firm specialising in the field of Building Services (MEP) Engineering.

B&W is committed to conducting business with a high level of integrity and within the law wherever the business operates and with whomever it may deal with. When B&W is clearly seen to behave in an ethical manner, it enhances its own reputation for integrity, which in turn helps it to attract and retain both customers and employees. Corrupt acts expose B&W and its employees to the risk of prosecution, fines, debarments from tendering for business and other penalties, as well as damaging the company’s reputation and increasing the cost of doing business. Individuals may also be imprisoned. As such, B&W does not tolerate any form of corruption or bribery in any of our dealings.

We must not, and we must ensure that any third party acting on our behalf does not, act corruptly in our dealings with any other person.

The purpose of this policy is to set out our zero-tolerance position on bribery and corruption. B&W attaches the utmost importance to this policy. It has been unanimously approved by the Board and all our employees and business partners worldwide are expected and required to comply with it, irrespective of where they operate and regardless of local norms and practices.

This policy and procedures set out are communicated to the entire organisation through rigorous training. In addition, the Employee Handbook has a clause dedicated to company moral standards on bribery and corruption.

All B&W employees must adhere to these particularly as it forms part of their contract with B&W. Violation of this policy is ground for disciplinary action, which may result in immediate dismissal and for clients, the immediate termination of contracts.

What is Bribery?

Bribery can be defined by offering, receiving, or soliciting an item of value with the intention of influencing the action or decisions of the recipient.

What is Corruption?

Corruption is defined as misuse of power for a private gain, typically, but not exclusively, involving bribery, but can also involve:

• Facilitating the evasion of tax evasion;
• Contravening sanctions’ laws; and
• Breaching money laundering laws

Gifts, Entertainment, Hospitality

All B&W staff must not participate or become involved in any activities conflicting with this policy. Any given or received gifts or entertainment must be recorded in company Gifts & Hospitality Register and approved by a director.

Concerns & Guidance

The Board is committed to implementing this policy within the organisation. Any person wishing to raise a concern in good faith can make contact confidentially directly with the directors, without fear or concern of reprisal or being. penalised in any way.

Penalties

Breach of this policy will result in disciplinary action. Internally for B&W, this could include termination of employment. Externally, this could result in prosecutions by a public prosecutor, that could lead to financial penalties and/or imprisonment. Any fines imposed on individuals will not be paid by B&W.

It is Black & White Engineering’s (B&W’s) policy to provide a healthy and safe environment for our employees, sub-contractors, visitors and others through our behaviours, product and service that surpasses our client’s needs and expectations. By adopting an integrated management system that is compliant with ISO 45001:2018 we can ensure that
our processes are planned to allow all staff to work toward achieving our very high standard of product and services as efficiently and consistently as possible, minimising the risk of injury or illness linked to the Company activities through a wide implementation of preventive procedures and actions.

It is B&W’s senior management teams’ duty to ensure all staff are empowered to share the responsibility of implementing the QSE System and in turn, it becomes the responsibility of all staff to ensure that our services are conducted in accordance with the systems set.

Our Occupational Health & Safety commitments

We will demonstrate our commitments to occupational health &safety through:

• The promotion and the implementation of occupational health and safety principles in all our business activities.
• The compliance with legal and other relevant requirements.
• The continual improvement of our occupational health & safety performance throughout our operations and activities to meet the requirements of ISO 45001:2018.
• A commitment to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks.
• Ensuring that necessary resources are available, including appropriate expert advice.
• Providing arrangements for emergency situations.

Our Occupational Health & Safety objectives

We consider the Health and Safety of our employees, sub-contractors, visitors, and others who may be affected by our operations to be our highest priority. We have adopted the following objectives:

• Give the management of Occupational Health and Safety at least equal consideration to all other business functions.
• Ensure that suitable and sufficient information training, instruction, and supervision is provided so that all employees can complete their work in safety.
• Encourage our team to participate in all elements of the OH&S management.
• Consult with our staff on Occupational Health and Safety matters through regular staff meetings which will include the development of policy, procedures and review of accidents to ensure that preventative and protective measures are effectively monitored, and the promotion of the implementation of procedures that will prevent injury / ill health to employees, to become the focus for continuous improvement initiatives.

Safety performance

Our objectives will be delivered through a programme of Health and Safety targets and will be managed and monitored by our motivated team.

Who is this policy statement for?

Copies of this policy statement will be issued to all those with an interest. This statement will be promoted to employees, be available upon request to our customers and representatives of the local communities in which we operate.