New scheme for the construction industry
May 20, 2009
A move to cut health and safety bureaucracy in the construction industry has been launched.
The Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Competence Forum, launched on 20th May 2009, aims to encourage mutual recognition between the pre-qualification schemes used by contractors to demonstrate their health and safety competence.
It is an example of the type of practical action recommended by RoSPA's National Occupational Safety and Health Committee to reduce the burden of red tape on small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) while also making the essential requirements of health and safety management clearer.
Last year, the committee's ongoing inquiry into the health and safety help available to small firms found that SMEs were facing problems when tendering for contracts. This was because their prospective clients used a wide range of pre-qualification schemes to assess their approach to the prevention of accidents and ill-health.
A lack of mutual recognition between the schemes meant that firms were facing unnecessary and time-consuming form filling as they sought to meet the requirements of each one.
In response to the finding, clients and other third parties were encouraged to accept the results of any competent assessment based on a set of agreed core criteria.
The new SSIP Forum has been founded by a number of the pre-qualification schemes operating within the construction industry.
Find out about the Construction Safety Starter Pack DVD
The Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Competence Forum, launched on 20th May 2009, aims to encourage mutual recognition between the pre-qualification schemes used by contractors to demonstrate their health and safety competence.
It is an example of the type of practical action recommended by RoSPA's National Occupational Safety and Health Committee to reduce the burden of red tape on small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) while also making the essential requirements of health and safety management clearer.
Last year, the committee's ongoing inquiry into the health and safety help available to small firms found that SMEs were facing problems when tendering for contracts. This was because their prospective clients used a wide range of pre-qualification schemes to assess their approach to the prevention of accidents and ill-health.
A lack of mutual recognition between the schemes meant that firms were facing unnecessary and time-consuming form filling as they sought to meet the requirements of each one.
In response to the finding, clients and other third parties were encouraged to accept the results of any competent assessment based on a set of agreed core criteria.
The new SSIP Forum has been founded by a number of the pre-qualification schemes operating within the construction industry.
Find out about the Construction Safety Starter Pack DVD
More Construction news:
17 prohibition notices issued during month long construction site safety campaign - July 20, 2010Fraudulent papers and broken back lead to prosecution of 21-year old - October 30, 2009
Roof collapse injuries 13 pupils - May 13, 2009
Developer fined after building collapse - April 28, 2009
Construction health and safety issues found in South London - April 23, 2009
