Smith Group News
Top Safety Accreditation for Smith Group UK Ltd
30 Apr 2009
Smith Group UK Ltd is one of the latest groups of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record.
The Kirkham based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors.
Employing 200 people, Smith Group UK Ltd is principally a leading M&E contractor that has been established for over 50 years specialising in the design and installation of all M&E elements along with a specialist in-house air conditioning division. Work for the group has spanned a broad range of industries including education, retail, commercial, domestic and residential. With a turnover of £35 million, Smith Group UK Ltd have worked with major players and most recent clients have included Birse, Bovis Lend Lease, Carillion and BAM.
The company’s application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.
Chris Belfield, Health and Safety Director commented; "I am absolutely delighted that we have been awarded such a prestigious accreditation. As many of you know SAFEcontractor status is among the hardest to get and I think being awarded it outlines our massive commitment to health and safety."
SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.
SAFEcontractor is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services.
Darran Hughes; Operations Director of SAFEcontractor said, "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies".
"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Smith Group UK Ltd has done. The firms’ high standard has set an example, which will hopefully be followed by other companies within the sector".
Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice.
Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com.
Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.
Over one hundred and twenty major nation-wide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.
Further information: Chris Belfield
Health and Safety Director
Smith Group UK Ltd
Calder House
St George’s Park
Kirkham
Lancashire
PR4 2DZ
T: 01772 47111
F: 01772 471112
E: chris.belfield@smith-group.com
W: www.smith-group.com
Notes to Editors:
SAFEcontractor is a third party accreditation scheme that assesses health and safety arrangements. Many major clients recognise the scheme and accept the SAFEcontractor certificate as confirmation of
competency. You only need to be assessed once and not by every client and prospect.
For further information about the SAFEcontractor Scheme, contact:
Eoghan Mortell
Working Word Public Relations - 029 2048 8778
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