I would like to know peoples views on the proliferation of construction safety schemes. For example are the online application processes user friendly especially for small business. Do they have an impact on the safety culture within the construction industry, or are they just a paper-chase process in case of litigation? Senior HSE inspectors have made comments on the actual benefits to safety, due to the amount of schemes available. From experience my clients just see the schemes as tick-box processes within the tender process. Some of the comments from my client are:

1. Online systems to difficult
2. Lack of customer support
3. Don't benefit smaller companies
4. Too costly for smaller businesses.

I would love to hear your views?

I've been assisting a contractor with their annual assessment and it took three efforts to get the required information to the scheme and accepted, this over abut 6 weeks.

Learned yesterday that we passed.

The contractor pays an annual fee to remain on the scheme but my fee for assisting amounted to more than the annual fee.

The online system is difficult and very time consuming, including the time taken on the helpline getting the system explained.

Customer support OK.

This company does shop fitting, and can do about three projects at any one time, not a small company but also not a large company?

The cost is obviously rather high, especially having to employ someone like me to assist.

bevwork, I often hear the comment 'tick-box' with regard tom these schemes.

Well it WILL be a tick-box' IF they have a good H&S system in place; tick the boxes and provide copies of policies, risk assessments etc. Easy.

The problem is some contractors try and make it a 'tick-box' when they haven't got a good H&S system in place.

I've had companies wanting me (consultant) to fill in their CHAS or SafeContractor paperwork without me 'auditing' them myself, but I have always insisted that I visit their site, observe their work practices, visit a site where they work, and help them where they need documentation etc.

They want to convince a client that they are a responsible contractor, they need to convince me too. I want to know do they comply with their own risk assessments and SOPs etc etc. For me to do that, I've told them would require at least 2 days work and the cost could be up to £500.

As FS above says, that advice can cost more than the scheme, but my aim is that they get some benefit, and that they really do have a good H&S system in place that they can share with their clients.

John

Yes, as FS says, some contractors do benefit from working towards compliance to these schemes. I've had to provide training and knowledge on things like COSHH, statutory examination of lifting equipment, safety policy etc before we can answer/tick the boxes and yes there will be additional costs - all those hoists and harnesses need to be examined.....