Following an article (SHP online) where a company has been prosecuted for the second time for blocking a gas flue with a conservatory which they have built, it emerges that the company have boasted on their website that they have received a safety award from the British Safety Council "every year since 1984". http://www.shponline.co....us-gas-safety-conviction Further to the above, the BSC website states the International Safety Awards is open to all companies. 'Applicants answer 12 questions about their health and safety management and applications are marked by independent adjudicators. This year we received 570 applications, 550 of which were successful. 125 sites were awarded a distinction.' 12 questions for a safety award from a reputable organisation! However, an application costs £230 + vat for members, some quick maths shows that BSC have reaped in at least £126,000 - nice work if you can get it. Interested in your comments.

Website indicates that it's the factory which has received the awards. So not claiming that they've won awards for what they do elsewhere.

Both the BSC and ROSPA awards do require submission of "evidence". Both awards have evolved to having fairly robust judging systems, but we have to bear in mind that the in the non-competitive categories of awards the applicants to have to meet pre-defined criteria and is essentially a document check of evidence submitted. That is why we as safety professional should be able to distinguish between the different category of awards and what it represents. For example, the BSC Sword of Honour is indeed an award signifying excellence. We should also remember that even the best performing organisations can have accidents and be prosecuted. Also, has anyone actually confirmed that Supaglazing has received a safety award from the British Safety Council "every year since 1984".

RayRapp, I think you have turned a little cynical of late, however HS can do that to a man! I find that my perception of our 'industry' changes from time to time - at present my view is quite positive, however thats probably because I tend to get involved in niche sectors such as helicopters and boats, where there has been little impact of the 'down-turn', although aviation is a strange beast at times. As for the post regarding BSC Awards, I would suggest there fine if the data supplied is genuinely indicative of the company performance and supplied with good intent. They are of course also, good PR. Its all part of a game really, isnt it? Toodle pip...

Yes the 5 star award is something my major customer is awarded, with proper visited audits. Four years ago they had only 2 stars, and were very embarrassed about that. I've done lots of work done with them to achieve 5 stars (in fact there's a combined 5 star and 18001 level which they now have). So the star awards with BSC is something that, at least, immediately indicates how good the H&S system is.

stevie Surely there is no need to have a sword with a sharp edge, especially in the workplace - whatever next! LOL.

Someone must have hung it on the wall and things that go up...

When we are on the subject of external verification, I believe CHAS any SSIP scheme, ISO 9001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001 verify nothing and are ultimately worthless to H&S. They are simply badges to help businesses get business. Compliance with CHAS could be done sitting in front of a PC and collecting all your evidence from any decent search engine. ISO, OHSAS require things to be put in place e.g. Procedures for identifying and controlling hazards. So lets say we get audited, we have a procedure (tick one box) we complete risk assessments (another tick). What is the problem here....The contents of the assessments are never assessed. I've recently joined a business who have CHAS, SAFEcontractor,etc ISO, 9001, 14001, OHSAS 18001. They have been accredited for a number of years and yet all the risk assessments have not changed since they were written (They are extremely poor in terms of contents, layout, control measures etc) , there are no COSHH assessments in place because my predecessor stated she spoke to the HSE who confirmed MSDS are acceptable, this was also confirmed by the external standards auditor - with no H&S knowledge/experience. The problem is perception, people believe because you have/confirm to standards (Badges) you operate a safe business.................................Just my thoughts. Macca

Well Macca, your thoughts or experiences are not the same as mine. When BSC have sent an 5-star auditor to my main customer she has diligently picked out risk assessment documents, checked for archived versions, checked with the signatories, checked the detai of the content, particularly the effectiveness of controls, asked supervisors if they are aware of the RA, asked appropriate operatives why they wear the PPE etc etc; a thorough audit, and, as I am responsible for monitoring the H&S system, she has had me sweating on more than one occasion. After the audit we are presented with a detailed action list which will be reviewed every six months. Failure to improve will lose a star. As I said earlier, the award is star-graded so anyone just saying 'BSC award' might be concealing how many stars they have!

No offence, but you're statement is quite wrong on many levels.

Macca86 So what is worthwhile then? I'm not trying to be facetious, it is a serious question, but if all these schemes by which people benchmark themselves are "ultimately worthless", by which yardstick would you take your measure?