Safe-Contractor. Anyone else with them?
- Thread starter Vintage06
- Start date
J
joiner
Not me but I'm stating to take an intrest in joining this scheme, how much aggro was it for you? Mark.
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- Original Poster
- #4
Well i havn't been completely accepted yet... This is what happened with me
I applied to join them, got a short form to fill out, Sent it away. couple weeks later they got in contact with me, took payment (just a sole trader like myself it cost just under £150) i thought that would be it. but no they took payment then sent another questionnaire out. a massive booklet about health & safety. They wanted risk assessment forms and loads more. Just working for my own i didn't really need to draw up health and safety plans. but they made me.
After a week i sent this off. and after 4 weeks i'm still waiting to hear back from them. i rang them earlier today again and said it could still take another 6 weeks.
Since i first inquired about it. its been 3 months. and i've got a big big contract on hold while waiting for this stupid thing. And while they wait on me. they are using another company that does the same sort of thing.
So if your going to go with it. Do it quickly haha.
What type of business are you's in?
I applied to join them, got a short form to fill out, Sent it away. couple weeks later they got in contact with me, took payment (just a sole trader like myself it cost just under £150) i thought that would be it. but no they took payment then sent another questionnaire out. a massive booklet about health & safety. They wanted risk assessment forms and loads more. Just working for my own i didn't really need to draw up health and safety plans. but they made me.
After a week i sent this off. and after 4 weeks i'm still waiting to hear back from them. i rang them earlier today again and said it could still take another 6 weeks.
Since i first inquired about it. its been 3 months. and i've got a big big contract on hold while waiting for this stupid thing. And while they wait on me. they are using another company that does the same sort of thing.
So if your going to go with it. Do it quickly haha.
What type of business are you's in?
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C
chollo
I had the same problem first time round. I spoke to the company who insisted safecontractor membership and asked them to put pressure on Safecontractor on my behalf. They intervened and it came through almost immediately.
The second time I just rang Safecontractor and told them I would be speaking to the Client to complain at the delays and again it came through within a couple of days.
Good luck.
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- Original Poster
- #8
Hey. After hearing nothing from them i've received a letter from them saying basically
Firstly its been 3-4 months since they took our payment for a year. They mentioned nothing about questionnaires. We filled it in with the helpline over the phone, They said it was sufficient to send off. now they've sent this to us saying we need to expand our answers.
I don't have any health and safety training. i was told it wasn't required to register with these.
They keep mentioning me developing policies for employees. But i don't have any and i won't for ages.
All my safety work-wear etc and tools i have bought myself. and bought them before i set-up my business so i have no receipts for buying them. and i don't need to buy any new.
And all my tools are basic tools, that require hardly any/if any maintenance.
Accident reporting? its just me. do i report myself having an accident to myself? I'll ask myself questions about how it happened.
Emergency procedures? I don't have a base from where i work. i work at other company's locations and follow there procedures. They say this isn't enough. Do i instruct them about every single procedure from every firm?
I'm completely baffled. If i'd known it was this stupid. i wouldn't have bothered applying for it. (Despite once affiliated it'll be well worth it with the company i'll get work off.)
Firstly its been 3-4 months since they took our payment for a year. They mentioned nothing about questionnaires. We filled it in with the helpline over the phone, They said it was sufficient to send off. now they've sent this to us saying we need to expand our answers.
I don't have any health and safety training. i was told it wasn't required to register with these.
They keep mentioning me developing policies for employees. But i don't have any and i won't for ages.
All my safety work-wear etc and tools i have bought myself. and bought them before i set-up my business so i have no receipts for buying them. and i don't need to buy any new.
And all my tools are basic tools, that require hardly any/if any maintenance.
Accident reporting? its just me. do i report myself having an accident to myself? I'll ask myself questions about how it happened.
Emergency procedures? I don't have a base from where i work. i work at other company's locations and follow there procedures. They say this isn't enough. Do i instruct them about every single procedure from every firm?
I'm completely baffled. If i'd known it was this stupid. i wouldn't have bothered applying for it. (Despite once affiliated it'll be well worth it with the company i'll get work off.)
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J
joiner
No disrespect mate but I knew that all the questions you've mentioned would come up and much much more besides and I've not even applied yet. As for them taking your money- well someone has got to pay the asseser guy thats already spent time looking at your application. Seriously tho mate- I've got all this to come (altho I will be hiring a H&S guy to help me through the process), but the best of look to you- if like you say it will be financial worth it when your approved then see it thro mate. M
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B
Bri
..It was the same for us, we are small company and it took the same length of time. You do have to put pressure on them from both sides, we did that, told them it was an important contract and was likely to go to a competitor if we didnt get the accreditation.It is a bit of a minefield when you do it for the first time, but they do give you guidelines, if you dont do something then tell them so and require further guidance on it.
Since we've been a member, we used them recently on a HSE matter, logged elswhere on here, and gave us a reply that we would never have managed to supply, worth the membership money alone that one was, it soon shut that person up.
However, the one thing that annoyed us was our renewal notice. As it took nearly four months to get certified we assumed our yr started from there, not so, it starts as soon as you apply and pay, as they apparently clearly say, we applied for membership and we were entitled to use the membership facilities whilst applying for certification. So beware that one.
Since we've been a member, we used them recently on a HSE matter, logged elswhere on here, and gave us a reply that we would never have managed to supply, worth the membership money alone that one was, it soon shut that person up.
However, the one thing that annoyed us was our renewal notice. As it took nearly four months to get certified we assumed our yr started from there, not so, it starts as soon as you apply and pay, as they apparently clearly say, we applied for membership and we were entitled to use the membership facilities whilst applying for certification. So beware that one.
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- Original Poster
- #15
I didn't really know anything about Safe Contractor. I was told we needed it so went into it rather blindly. I've never really dealt with health and safety before so it's all rather new to me. How much does a H&S guy cost?
And it will be rewarding when i gain the accreditation.
Yeah its nearly four months for us. It is a bit of a joke that they don't inform you before you pay that its not an auto-accreditation. What was the HSE matter?
The only problem to narrow it down with Safe Contractor is that they don't really accomodate a company applying that just has 1 sole trader working and no other employees. If they did. I'd have no bother at all.
I'm currently writing up my expansions that they've asked for. I'll post them on here when i'm done. See what you guys think.
Seriously thanks for the response though
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B
Bri
They did a random site visit, the site was pristine and we think they had to find something. We'd already done the work but they decided they wanted to pick holes in it. Went straight to safecontractor for advice and they sent us the relevant notes relating to the work we were doing, banged it off straight to the main contractor and nothing heard since( mind you its Friday and anything can happen today as the boys are on site).
It transpired the main contractor had a contravention on one of their other sites and HSE were randomly visiting their sites looking.
There is a rumour also circulating the industry that the ConDems are looking closely at the HSE in their public spending cuts, what a great day that would be.
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- Original Poster
- #17
I'm all for HSE cuts. haha.
Yeah. Well that's a bonus if they can provide help like that.
I'm hoping i don't receive any visits like that. I work from my garage at home and basically just have a bench made up with a vice and drill on it. and machines for repair and the ones i stock for rental the other side. With parts on shelving draws.
I just use my van and go to where the machines are to repair and service. I have to adhere to most other companies health and safety policies rather than having my own.
Yeah. Well that's a bonus if they can provide help like that.
I'm hoping i don't receive any visits like that. I work from my garage at home and basically just have a bench made up with a vice and drill on it. and machines for repair and the ones i stock for rental the other side. With parts on shelving draws.
I just use my van and go to where the machines are to repair and service. I have to adhere to most other companies health and safety policies rather than having my own.
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B
Bri
And thats all fine, you put that in and around your risk assessments and method statements because thats how you do your business, dont go deep.
As for manual handling, use the basic template for it and say you adhere to that( make sure you read it too)
COSHH- All you need are the data sheets for any lubricants you use, would you believe I had to submit one for WD40.
By the way, you'll need your drill and I guess from what you do you have a compressor or generator/ extension leads will all need to be PAT tested that you take to site.
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- Original Poster
- #19
I'm currently booked to go on a PAT test course in early september so will be able to do those myself...
Sorry to sound glum but whats COSHH? Ignore that: Its Control of substances.
Yeah i've also put that i was trained how to manual handle things at my previous job at Asda. (I've included the reference number of the health and safety guy there for reference)
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B
Bri
H&S Policy Requirements.
Manual Handling:
Equipment Safety:
Emergency Procedures:
Welfare Facilities:
Hazardous Substance Safety:
Accident Report & Investigation:
H&S Record Requirements.
Training Records/Certificates:
Examples of work equipment maintenance records:
Worked and completed examples of personal protective equipment (PPE) issure records/invoices.
Details of your H&S qualifications and/or H&S Experience.
I have altered some of the wording for you, let me know what you think, try and refrain from using brackets in business communications
Manual Handling:
- I will use my own risk assessment of how I will lift/transport certain objects.
- When a new machine is delivered. A tail-gate must be provided in order for the machine to be lifted off the wagon/van. If this is not provided, we will refuse the delivery until one is provided.
- Experience: I have had Manual Handling training in my previous job at an Asda store. For confirmation of this my reference is: **
Equipment Safety:
- The company van has a full MOT. And is serviced every 12.000 mile. With Oil checked and water weekly. The van has recently been bought and has been fully MOTd and serviced
- Tools are checked and cleaned after use. Anything damaged or worn is disposed of and replaced.
- Computer and Printer are maintained by the business as we have knowledge in maintaining computers.
- Pressure Washers that are in stock as rentals are maintained and serviced when they return from rental and/or every six-months.
- All company electrical equipment is to be PAT Tested.
Emergency Procedures:
- Emergency Procedures are in line with customers own business and requirments instructed to us prior or when we arrive on site. And we adhere to those.
Welfare Facilities:
- We make sure when we arrive on site, that there is sufficient welfare facilities such as toilets etc.
- At our place of business All welfare facilities are provided, Microwave, Fridge & Oven for food, Kettle and Water. And toilet facilities.
- When/if the company moves into another premises , we will review this section and make sure sufficient facilities are provided.
Hazardous Substance Safety:
- We wont deal with Hazardous substances.If we do the use of Safety glasses and gloves will be implemented. And no Hazardous Substances will be taken off the site we will be working on.
- Some Different chemicals will be used and as above safety glasses and gloves will be used.
- Used oil will be disposed of in the correct manner.
- I have attached with this document, COSHH Hazard Assessment forms.
Accident Report & Investigation:
- The company will use the accident report form that Safe Contractor has provided.
- If an accident occurs it will be investigated why this happened and what can be done to avoid it.
H&S Record Requirements.
Training Records/Certificates:
- As stated in the application form, the company will conduct risk assessments before going on to a site/job.
- the owner has a basic training certificate in ASET level 1 certificate in personal safety awareness.
Examples of work equipment maintenance records:
- Basic tools that are carried can become worn and break. These will be disposed of and replaced without maintenance.
- Electrical items will be PAT tested. Such as Drill, Compressor, Electrical Meter Tester, Pressure Washers and extension leads.
- The business owner will be PAT registered by Mid-September.
- The computer and printer/fax will be scanned for viruses etc when necessary,
- Record maintenance logs for machines the company service, will be kept for future reference. Also for the machines the company own own and hire out.
- If a breakdown happens to a machine on a site that cannot be repaired on that day but can be in future, the company will deem it out of order so it can not be used until it is repaired.
Worked and completed examples of personal protective equipment (PPE) issure records/invoices.
- PPE : Hard-Hats, Gloves, Latex gloves, Protective glasses/goggles,protection Ear , Steel-toe capped boots, Hi-vis vests/jackets, Overalls, Face-masks.
- There are no purchase receipts for the above as all were owned prior to the company starting, Except for some new steel toe capped boots.copy of receipt included and Latex Gloves.
- Some of the PPE is consumable, One use face mask/Latex gloves and will be ordered when low on stock.
- If PPE becomes worn. A replacement will be ordered.
Details of your H&S qualifications and/or H&S Experience.
- ASET Level 1 Certificate in personal safety awareness. This aims to increase personal safety awareness in schools, colleges, work places and other environment.
- Going to many sites and factories has taught us all the health and safety procedures in the work place. We have been instructed to watch many videos and read forms and policies about health and safety.
I have altered some of the wording for you, let me know what you think, try and refrain from using brackets in business communications
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The Safe contractor scheme is a waste of money.. You pay your money to put another logo on your paper work or another sticker on your van, that means nothing and will never generate any future work. The applications are vetted in Wales by girls that have no idea about health and safety just tick boxes.. ISO9001 was a challenge, at least they sent a "consultant" to our office. But he was sub-contracted and just wanted a quick look around, left and then copied and pasted paragraphs from a generic manual applicable to our business... I am sure i could invent a company selling a product or service of your choice with my mothers cat as the owner and only employee and get ISO9001 and safe contractor accreditation.
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C
Consistency
For a first post, that is absolutely fantastic and would be just as fantastic if this had been your ten thousandth. I absolutely could not agree more.
There are too many of these bodies around that are basically jobs for the boys and office girls who run a nice little limited liability thing and keeping folk in a job for causing nothing but hassle to other businesses.
I have read the gruelling account of a young mister on here trying to get approved and my heart sinks at this type of thing. I am staunch anti-badge collecting. I am only a member of what I need to be a member of or what I absolutely in my heart support.
I will not badge collect as while I am badge collecting and advertising someone else's business, I can be putting more focus on my own. These companies should be paying us to advertise them by displaying their logos!!
Sadly I think businesses themselves start this process, what starts as a nice little badge in order to make someone look good, after several years become quite powerful and then businesses become a hostage to their ransom. They either pay up and conform or don't and lose their business.
Safe Contractor thing is not their yet but they are climbing up that ladder. I would not be surprised if in 10 years time this is made as a legislative requirement. These jobs for the boys public sector workers have to go somewhere and where better than imposed upon us, after all how many of us really want to employ an ex-public sector worker who is spoilt.
Well Said, Steveworth, well said indeed.
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I am safe contractor accredited and totally disagree with the last 2 comments. Contractors work for clients; if the clients require, within their policies, a certain accreditation, then OBVIOUSLY the contractor gains by having the accreditation as they wouldn't get the work otherwise. I have benefited from it.
For me the process was a bit easier than some people as I have a very strong H&S background and my business documents were up to scratch the first time around.
The accreditation procedure is thorough and genuinely does make sure you have sensible documentation behind your business. It is not a waste of time or simply a box-ticking job. If you have not been through it then perhaps you have a tainted opinion.
I have had exposure in national press since getting mine, I wear the logo on the van and it makes the whole business feel and look that bit more structured and professional. The same goes for other types of things such as PVG and first aid in addition to trade-specific training.
It is cheap to become accredited, and guides you through a sense check of your own records. This not only gives you something to fall back on if there are any problems with staff but also really does make you more aware of what may go wrong on site.
For me the process was a bit easier than some people as I have a very strong H&S background and my business documents were up to scratch the first time around.
The accreditation procedure is thorough and genuinely does make sure you have sensible documentation behind your business. It is not a waste of time or simply a box-ticking job. If you have not been through it then perhaps you have a tainted opinion.
I have had exposure in national press since getting mine, I wear the logo on the van and it makes the whole business feel and look that bit more structured and professional. The same goes for other types of things such as PVG and first aid in addition to trade-specific training.
It is cheap to become accredited, and guides you through a sense check of your own records. This not only gives you something to fall back on if there are any problems with staff but also really does make you more aware of what may go wrong on site.
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