Rank: Super forum user 
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I am currently updating our sub contractor data base and sending out health / safety & enviromental questionnaire which is fine for a company with a number of employees
Those that work for themselves struggle to answer questions for obvious reasons
I would like to revamp our company form and ask if anyone has any example I could adopt
Please pm me if you can help
Many thanks in advance
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'd be wary of asking different questions, but it's reasonable to adjust expectation of the type of evidence required. The application of H&S law is little different w.r.t. size of the employer. The HSE have some excellent material aimed at the small contractor, including pro-forma that can be completed and then form the basis of your assessment. I suggest you reference HSE resources in your application, and consider a slightly different approach for the smaller <5 employer.
Common failing with the SME is misunderstanding about their source of competent H&S advice (MHSWR).
Not uncommon to see HSE listed, the sole trader himself (with no evidence of quals.), or (on the odd occasion) us as the Client!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Small contractors are increasingly having to go through the time-consuming and unnecessary burden of producing a load of paperwork that is no practical help in making their activities safer or healthier, purely to satisfy the whims of rigid selection systems of large buyers.
Alan, it is reassuring to see your recognition of this "H&S gone mad" mess we are in and I hope that somebody on here has a solution for you.
Perhaps the real solution is to have onsite management that is able to recognise poor practice, offer advice and guidance where necessary and the competence and authority to make decisions on what is the most appropriate remedy. A fancy logo on a letterhead does not determine whether a company or sole trader operates in a safe manner, neither does the absence of any accreditation mean a lack of competence.
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Rank: Forum user
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David, I agree that filling complicated questionnaires is a bureaucratic nightmare and initself, will not improve safety. However, I guess that the point is that a questionnaire goes part way to providing evidence that a client makes reasonable enquiries regarding the competence of subcontractors and vets their H&S management systems (if any) before awarding them any work. Unfortunately they will continue to be necessary, our task (like Alan's) is to simplify them and make them easy to fill in!
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Rank: Forum user
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Alan,
pm me your email address andI'll send youw hat we use for 1 - 5 man gangs.
Very basic but asks the right questions.
Regards
Clive
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Rank: Super forum user
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johnv: and that's a large part of the problem - fear of being sued.
Too much of our paperwork is for lawyers and insurers and does little to affect workplace safety or occupational health.
However, as a consultant I freely acknowledge that it is a necessary evil and my clients sadly need to protect their rear-ends from the threats of legal action. I am currently taking a break from writing a report (more documents) and one of my recommendations refers to documenting a certain activity.
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