ISO45501 & Data-Led Risk Management: How JFM Delivers Real Health & Safety Oversight

By Joe Mallon MRICS FTPI, Co-Chairman – JFM Block & Estate Management 
Health and safety in residential block management is often reduced to policies and statements. The reality is more demanding. It requires structure, discipline, and a system that can stand up to scrutiny over time.
At JFM, our approach is built on a simple principle: if it cannot be evidenced clearly, it is not good enough.
And it’s this approach that’s made us the capital’s most up-and-coming Large & Complex Site Experts.

ISO 45001 as a self-correcting system

JFM is accredited to ISO 45001, the internationally-recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems.
More importantly, we view ISO 45001 not as a static accreditation, but as a self-correcting mechanism built into the business. The standard is designed around continuous improvement. It requires organisations to identify risks, act on them, review performance, and refine their approach on an ongoing basis. A rigorous independent annual review adds real value for clients.
In practice, this creates a structured loop. Where gaps exist, they are identified. Where weaknesses appear, they are addressed. Over time, this drives incremental but meaningful improvement across the organisation.
You can read more about the standard here: https://www.iso.org/iso-45001-occupational-health-and-safety.html

Backed by UKAS-accredited certification

Not all ISO 45001 accreditations carry the same weight. The credibility of the certification body is critical.
JFM’s accreditation is audited and certified by ISO QAR, a certification body accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
UKAS is the UK’s national accreditation body, responsible for assessing and verifying the competence of organisations that provide certification and inspection services. This ensures that certifications issued under UKAS-accredited bodies meet rigorous, independently verified standards.
You can learn more about UKAS here: https://www.ukas.com/
For clients, this provides real assurance. It means our ISO 45001 accreditation has been achieved and maintained under proper scrutiny, not through a light-touch or non-accredited route.

Embedding ISO 45001 into daily operations

ISO 45001 only has value if it is embedded into how a business actually operates.
At JFM, this is achieved through a structured, data-led system using Asana. Every health and safety item across our portfolio is logged, tracked, and managed within a live environment.
Each task is clearly marked as open or closed and supported by a full audit trail. This includes historical actions, documentation, site imagery, contractor updates, and internal commentary.
This creates complete visibility. Not just of current risks, but of how those risks are being actively managed over time.

Logan: reinforcing accountability

Alongside this, we have developed our own internal software, Logan.
Logan compliance tool
Logan monitors activity within our systems and automatically emails property managers when health and safety items become overdue – or when progress between actions slow down. This ensures that delays are not buried within task lists or inboxes, but are consistently brought to attention and addressed.
It is a simple but powerful layer of accountability, reinforcing the discipline required to maintain standards across a growing portfolio.

Large and complex estates: raising the bar

Large and complex estates, particularly high-rise developments, demand a far more robust approach to health and safety.
These buildings carry significant legal and operational responsibilities for landlords, resident management companies, and developers alike. The margin for error is smaller, and the consequences of failure are far greater.
In this environment, it is not enough to have a process. It must be a cast-iron process. One that identifies issues early, tracks them clearly, and ensures they are properly resolved.
It is also essential that competence is structured and demonstrable. ISO 45001 requires us not only to assess the effectiveness of our systems, but also to continuously review the competence of our people.
This has had a direct impact on how we operate at JFM.

A culture of competence and continuous learning

One of the most important outcomes of our ISO 45001 framework has been the development of a strong health and safety culture across the business.
At JFM:
  • All property managers and compliance staff are working towards, or have achieved, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Managing Safely certification
  • Staff have access to our internal JFM Learning Academy
  • Training is structured, ongoing, and aligned with real operational risks
Our learning programmes include certified training across key areas such as fire safety, asbestos awareness, and risk assessment, ensuring that knowledge is not just theoretical, but directly applicable to the environments we manage.
This combination of system, structure, and training ensures that competence is not assumed. It is built, maintained, and evidenced.

From compliance to continuous improvement

The result of this combined approach is a model that goes well beyond basic compliance.
  • ISO 45001 provides the framework
  • UKAS-accredited certification provides assurance
  • Asana provides structure and visibility
  • Logan reinforces accountability
  • Ongoing training builds competence
  • Culture drives consistent execution
Together, these elements create a system that is constantly learning and improving.

Why this matters to clients

For clients, health and safety is ultimately about confidence.
Confidence that risks are being identified early
Confidence that there is a clear and defensible audit trail
Confidence that issues are not being allowed to drift
Confidence that the people managing their buildings are properly trained and supported
Our approach is designed to provide that confidence through evidence, not assumption.

Raising the standard

Health and safety should never be a box-ticking exercise.
At JFM, we have invested in building a system that is structured, transparent, and self-improving. Our ISO 45001 accreditation, backed by UKAS-accredited certification, is a reflection of that commitment.
The result is a standard of management that does not stand still, but improves over time.