Press releases

NEWS RELEASE 12th May 2009 Fast-Growing Contractor Safety Accreditation Scheme Doubles Membership

The flagship SAFEcontractor third-party health and safety accreditation scheme has experienced a rapid growth in its membership base since exhibiting at the IOSH Show in 2008 with now 18,000 members and is putting it down to an enlightened market and toughening health and safety legislation.

The significant increase in contractor membership, which has seen membership rise by 40 per cent to 14,000 members in the last year alone and more than double since 2006, underlines SAFEcontractor’s position as one of the UK’s largest accreditation schemes.

The company believes that the increased focus on the risks associated with poor contractor management, combined with the introduction of legislation such as the Corporate Manslaughter Act and the Health and Safety (Offences) Bill is having a knock on effect on businesses, who are sharpening up on health and safety management which has previously overlooked “out-sourced risks” as someone else’s problem.

More than 130 major businesses, including over 30 of Britain’s largest property and facilities management companies, are now formally committed to using the scheme to vet the health & safety competence of all contractors and service providers they engage.

Also using the scheme to pre-qualify contractors are many of Britain’s largest names in food and drink manufacturing, retail, leisure, hospitality, construction and banking.

Launched in 2002, SAFEcontractor has grown dramatically and now includes contractors involved in more than 100 different work activities, spread across all parts of the UK.

Shropshire-based cleaning services firm, Paramount Services (UK), whose clients include blue chip companies across the Midlands, became the 10,000th SAFEcontractor member and is a firm advocate of the scheme.

Since gaining SAFEcontractor accreditation, Managing Director of Paramount, Craig Astle, says the company has won several major contracts and believes SAFEcontractor has been a catalyst in helping them win new business.

Craig said: “Having third party accreditation has really helped us to develop our business over the last year and we have found an increasing number of potential contracts require this when we are pitching for business. At Paramount we adhere to best practice in health and safety and specifically chose SAFEcontractor because we believe it applies the highest standards and therefore commands widest respect in industry.”

To secure and retain SAFEcontractor accreditation, contractors and service providers must be formally assessed each year by one of SAFEcontractor’s team of qualified health and safety consultants.

Clients of the scheme have on-line access to a full and constantly-updated database of approved contractors. This means they don’t have to worry about individually vetting contractors and can demonstrate due diligence if required. It also allows them to apply a consistent health and safety standard when engaging contractors.

Accredited contractors find they can secure places on more approved supplier lists without the burden of having to verify their safety standards to many different clients.

Darran Hughes, Operations Director of SAFEcontractor said: “Clearly Paramount, in common with thousands of other contractors, recognise the value of being able to demonstrate their health and safety standards through a credible third-party scheme.

“Third-party health and safety accreditation is becoming an increasingly effective part of contractor procurement among Britain’s leading companies, particularly in the light of toughening legislation. I think it’s fair to say the rapid rise in membership over the last year is a result of this.”

Firms which achieve SAFEcontractor accreditation gain additional business opportunities from large national clients who use the database. In addition they can potentially enjoy lower premiums from insurance partners who recognise the reduction in risk.
SAFEcontractor accreditation also gives firms 24-hour access to practical help and advice on health and safety matters, and costs from as little as £120 annual membership fee.

For more information visit www.safecontractor.com.


Further information from Caroline Holmes
On 02920 646 840 / 07786642881 or email caroline.holmes@workingwordpr.com