OAL “Speak Up” (Whistleblowing) Policy
Our promise
At Oil Analysis Laboratories (OAL) we want customers, suppliers, contractors and members of the public to feel safe telling us if something isn’t right, so we can make it right. You should never suffer in silence, and even if something feels minor, if lots of people feel the same way then it is an issue that needs addressing. Speaking up helps us protect people, the environment and the integrity of our test results — “for when failure is not an option.”
We will always listen, act proportionately and keep your information as confidential as possible. No one will suffer retaliation for raising a concern in good faith. In fact letting us know how we could do better is one of the most beneficial things you could be doing for us, so we will likely be thanking you for taking the time to raise the concern in the first place so we can make sure we put this right.
When to use this page
Use Speak Up to report suspected wrongdoing that is in the public interest, for example:
- Safety risks or unsafe practices
- Environmental harm or improper waste handling
- Fraud, bribery, falsification or misreporting of test data
- Data protection or confidentiality breaches
- Criminal activity or covering up any of the above
If you have a service issue (e.g., portal access, turnaround, invoices), please use our normal Complaints/Support route instead so we can fix it quickly.
Who can raise a concern?
Anyone connected with OAL — customers, end-users, suppliers, contractors, visitors and members of the public. Our employees have a separate internal mechanism, but may also use the channels below if they prefer.
How to report a concern
- Phone: +44 (0)1492 437 999 — ask for the Whistleblowing Officer. You do not have to provide your name and can if you wish use a withheld number to call should you wish (between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays).
- Employees may also use the internal whistleblowing form in our Quality management system which is entirely anonymous.
Please share what happened (facts, dates, people involved), any evidence, and the risk if nothing is done. You can report anonymously; we’ll investigate as far as the information allows. If you wish to have follow-up information on the investigation you may need to provide some contact information, but this is optional and we will investigate regardless.
What we do with your report
- Triage & immediate safety checks to see if anything can be done immediately to fix the problem.
- Independent fact-finding (review records, interview relevant people)
- Outcome & actions (e.g., fix controls and take disciplinary action if warranted)
- Feedback — if you choose to provide contact details, we’ll tell you the outcome in general terms, respecting legal/privacy limits of those involved.
Your protections
- No retaliation: We will not penalise anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
- Confidentiality: Your identity is restricted to those who need to know if you do provide your identity.
- Anonymous reports: Welcome; note it may limit what we can verify.
- Suppliers & partners: We expect similar non-retaliation standards in your organisations too.
If you prefer to speak to someone in person
If you feel you do not want to go into details over the phone an in-person meeting can be organised if required in a neutral venue.
How we handle your data
We only collect what we need to assess and act on your concern. We store it securely, share it on a strict need-to-know basis and normally retain it for up to 7 years after closure (longer if required by law).
Accessibility & support
Tell us if you need this policy or reporting channels in an alternative format or language. If raising a concern has affected your wellbeing, please let us know so we can signpost support.
Contact
Whistleblowing Officer (WBO)
Oil Analysis Laboratories, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5EF
Phone: +44 (0)1492 437 999
