Register | Login | Set as Home Page | Bookmark | General Enquiries | Help | Sunday, 05th of July 2009
CLM Logo
cleaning-matters.co.uk
Search 
Magazine 
Register for our ENewsletter
Click to visit http://www.greencleaningmatters.co.uk
What next?
 Request further Information    visit web site     Send to friend
 RoSPA company's profile
Click to visit http://www.theenergyevent.com/

Click to visit http://www.cleaning-matters.co.uk/recruitment/-/



Backing for common sense approach to safety in small firms
December 1st 2008

A major RoSPA initiative to raise standards and reduce the health and safety burden on small and medium-sized firms has won the support of leading figures from business and industry.

More than 20 organisations have so far pledged support for a set of 12 common health and safety criteria to help small firms seeking new contracts.

SMEs were facing problems as prospective clients used a wide range of pre-qualification schemes to assess a firm's approach to the prevention of accidents and ill-health. An inquiry from RoSPA's National Occupational Safety and Health Committee found little mutual recognition between schemes, so firms were facing unnecessary form filling to meet the requirements of each one. It is hoped that clients and other third parties will now accept the results of any competent assessment that is based on the 12 criteria."The core criteria are designed to reduce the administrative burden, and make the essential requirements of health and safety management clearer for SMEs," says Roger Bibbings, RoSPA occupational safety adviser. A joint statement has been signed by organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses, the Electrical Contractors' Association, the Association of British Insurers, Royal Mail Group, and construction federations.They have pledged to support the development, implementation and widespread recognition of the criteria.

The core criteria are: health and safety policy and organisation; arrangements for ensuring health and safety measures; risk assessment; access to competent advice; training and information; individual qualifications and experience; workforce involvement; contracting procedures; co-operating and co-ordinating with others; accident/near-hit reporting and investigation; first aid (and other emergency measures notably fire arrangements); and monitoring, checking and reviewing performance.

Please contact RoSPA if your organisation is interested in becoming a signatory, using the number on the right.

More articles from RoSPA: