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Martin#1  
#1 Posted : 09 August 2016 12:03:29(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Martin#1

We are looking at the process of vetting subcontractors and I've been asked if there is an online check we can undertake to see if a firm has been prosecuted for breaches of H&S legislation? We ask this question within our questionnaire but is there a way of checking and confirming this online and id this information available? Thanks Martin
Neil P  
#2 Posted : 09 August 2016 12:05:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Neil P

Xavier123  
#3 Posted : 09 August 2016 12:08:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Xavier123

http://www.hse.gov.uk/prosecutions/ And here. Often interested in what will be done with this information when you have it. Surely the devil is in the detail. A company that has been prosecuted may now be substantially safer than one who has simply flown under the enforcement radar. Its all part of a big picture you'll get through vetting but I always fear that a prosecution is an automatic black mark when, in practice, it could have been a positive legacy step for an organisation.
WatsonD  
#4 Posted : 09 August 2016 13:25:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
WatsonD

Xavier123 wrote:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/prosecutions/ And here. Often interested in what will be done with this information when you have it. Surely the devil is in the detail. A company that has been prosecuted may now be substantially safer than one who has simply flown under the enforcement radar. Its all part of a big picture you'll get through vetting but I always fear that a prosecution is an automatic black mark when, in practice, it could have been a positive legacy step for an organisation.
I agree. However, one that lies about it on a questionnaire should definitely be avoided IMO
peter gotch  
#5 Posted : 09 August 2016 13:28:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

...and the bigger the subbie, the more likely that enforcement action will have been taken against them. So, you will find many of the major contractors on the HSE databases. Proves little if anything about their competence.
Martin#1  
#6 Posted : 16 August 2016 14:10:16(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Martin#1

thanks for the help, all very much appreciated :-) to be fair the addition check on potential H&S Breaches by subcontractors came from one of our directors, he thinks its something we should be checking and its a difficult one to argue with when deciding what would be viewed as reasonable and practicable measures
walker  
#7 Posted : 16 August 2016 14:17:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

Assume this is in construction? Most of the "big boys" are up in court all the time so its no indicator of a good contractor. At the other end of the scale, I assume you understand the concept (ongoing scam) of Phoenix companies?
firesafety101  
#8 Posted : 17 August 2016 09:47:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

I was once discussing competence checks with a small contractor who had no previous written records of RAMS. His quest in to me was "Can't we just make it up".
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