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Forum for simplifying pre-qualification gets HSE thumbs up

The HSE Chief Construction Inspector, Philip White, speaking at a Safety Schemes in Procurement Forum (SSIP Forum) meeting has said SSIP offers “an opportunity we must not lose”. He added that the Forum has benefits for SMEs and the whole construction industry.

Health and safety pre-qualification questionnaires can be a burden where companies are required to repeatedly pre-qualify for both public and private sector work. Stage 1 pre-qualification can become a source of excessive paperwork and significant cost, especially for SMEs.

Members of the SSIP Forum have moved towards reducing the burden through ‘deem to satisfy’ or ‘mutual recognition’ arrangements between schemes.

Mr White added: “We think there are real benefits here for the industry as a whole. An SSIP assessment will ensure compliance for stage one pre-qualification. It offers a real opportunity to raise standards and I think it should allow SMEs wider access to a range of jobs, and clients access to a wider range of SMEs.”

There are currently nine accreditation schemes registered with SSIP.

This article was posted on 5th November 2009 in ALL LATEST NEWS.
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