If there is one item guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows and the blood pressure of our clients its SSIP contractor approval schemes, contractor questionnaires and PQQ’s (Pre Qualification Questionnaires). Such as CHAS, SMAS, EXOR and Constructionline.  We help hundreds of businesses achieve SSIP in at little as 2 days, call Andrea directly on 01453 800109 to find out how we can help or ask her to call you, see our SSIP page for more details of how we can help.

All of the above are treated with equal dislike by most trades which we support, be they solar installers, renewables, groundworkers, electricians, building services engineers or landscapers.

There is a scheme known as SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) which seeks to address some of these concerns but, despite a positive start, the level of co-operation and integration between the scheme’s partners does still leave a lot to be desired.  Some have taken the baton and put in place a good and fair system without high charges and with assessors who are willing to talk to you (well done SMAS).  At the other extreme, there are high costs, outsourced assessors who are rarely available, little understanding of the processes our clients use and a less than helpful attitude (you know who you are…).

In an attempt to combat this the British Standards Institute (BSI) brought out PAS91 a few years ago and the intention was good and the reception positive.  PAS91 is already in use by all central government procurement agencies and has the support of SSIP, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, SafeContractor and EXOR – all of the largest suppliers in contractor assessment.

There’s just one big problem; PAS 91 is 47 pages long including guidance material and many of its questions are more probing and arduous than the very questionnaires it was going to replace… oh well, back to the drawing board!

If you need help or advice on health and safety or assistance in getting approved on EXOR, Safety Contractor, Constructionline, CHAS or SMAS then please contact us or request a call back – or call and speak to a friendly expert on 01453 800100. We can have you SSIP approved in as little as 3 days and will prepare all paperwork on your behalf writing new policies and procedures wherever they are required.