health and safety support service as figures have shown that
self-certification administration is a problem for subcontractors.
The NHBC has advised that almost 40% of subcontractors are losing work
over health and safety issues. These findings have encouraged the NHBC
to initiate their own health and safety support service.
In accordance with the CDM regulations, subcontractors and contractors
must demonstrate how they will effectively and competently manage
health and safety issues on every new tender and a health and safety
policy is to be included.
However, self-certification is a huge demand on time and money claims
the NHBC, and even competent subcontractors are left hesitant
regarding the issue, which is resulting in them losing bids.
Subsequently, NHBC has established SafeMark, a third party
pre-qualification assessment scheme to help those in the house
building industry. Its purpose is to save time, involving an initial
assessment which is valid for one year.
Simon Mantle, health and safety manager at the NHBC said of the new
scheme: "It is vital that subcontractors are fully prepared for all
health and safety issues and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is
having a real push on competence to reflect this."
"We know from our research that many subcontractors across the
industry are competent - it's just a question of proving it. For some,
and particularly smaller firms, the administration involved with this
is simply not practical."
SafeMark is accredited to the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP)
standard. For more information view the NHBC's Health and Safety
Competence Assessment Scheme Leaflet
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