Health & Safety Xpert

Review conducted by Brian Ford, C Miosh, RSP, Maps, (Ret) Grad Inst Fire E, DipSM (Loughborough)

Install and Setup
HBXL's software Health & Safety Xpert was easy to install (even for me!).

Getting started
Initially I struggled but that is mainly because I am not a competent computer user and as a `Man thing' I
charged into the programme without taking a look at the manual! (This has made me ideal for this
assessment, as I rate myself, computer wise, on a par with the smaller builder and has enabled me to
give an honest, critical appraisal of all the products).
However, following a short call on the tele help line I quickly found myself "on track" and competently
coping with the production of the documentation. The quality of their telephone support back up was
excellent

The software looks professional. All support was sympathetic (to my particular needs) The Manual is
written in a simple, easily understood format (not at all like some TV and DVD instructions.)
If you need health and safety training they can offer this too.

Specification and Versatility
This software is ideal for small, medium and some larger builders and produces practically all of the
documents that a builder would require to commence and complete a project from a health and safety
perspective. In addition, as a recently retired Planning Coordinator, I can see many uses for the software
by other Duty Holders within the CDM world.

Health & Safety Xpert's document range is extensive and contains enough information and the
appropriate forms to enable a small to medium sized builder to complete a project within the legal
constraints, as far as the required documentation is concerned.

The forms and documents act as an Aide Memoir for the builder and tend to guide them toward their
legal requirement i.e. if there are any documents (other than the health and Safety file) that have not
been completed, prior to commencement, then something is not quite correct.

I carry out consultancy work for engineering and electrical contractors and the software could be easily
adapted by the contractor for this. The Statement of Safety Policy, Coshh, Risk Assessment and
Management Documents could all be easily adapted.

The risk assessments really impressed me. I particularly liked the multi-activities which covered the
many aspects of this task and the interactive way that the assessor has a guide to numeric risk rating,
using the traffic light system of Red, Amber and green to denote High, Medium and Low Risk Ratings.

Performance and Speed
Speed was good. Not only were the various health and safety subjects clearly indexed at the top of the
screen but did not have to move around, opening different files and references before finding what I was
looking for. My frustration level stayed low throughout.

Pros and Cons
This is my first encounter with Health and Safety Xpert. I was pleasantly surprised at its professionalism
and layout. In the sales statement it says that the programme was written by builders. I think that this is
a huge "strength". As I worked my way through, I could almost hear some of the good builders that I have
worked with in the past giving my advice and explanations.

Carrying out this review has been a salutary experience for me, for I have been writing Safety
Management Systems for small companies for many years. Having seen the pure professionalism that
Health & Safety Xpert displays, I have come to the conclusion that it is time I packed it in!
My overall opinion is that the Health & Safety Xpert is far superior to its competitors. Both in content,
layout, ease of use and value for money. Any builder that has struggled through the maze of CDM alone
will find this system to be logical and in time simple.

This may be a personal thing but I found the print on screen a little small, I think it is point 10 possibly a
couple of points larger might make it easier to read.