In order to support members in their efforts to demonstrate company compliance to the wider industry, in October 2020 HAE EHA Hire Certification Services undertook the assessment to gain Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) registered membership status.
The accreditation process included examination of the SafeHire Certification management systems, quality procedures, and reviewing the competence of the qualified audit team to ensure that SSIP Core Criteria Assessments are conducted effectively and in keeping with the SSIP Rules & Bylaws.
In order for association members to achieve SSIP approval and registration on the SSIP Portal they are required to comply with health and safety core assessment criteria which have been recognised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and which are consistent with the health and safety Module in PAS 91 and Section 4 of the Common Assessment Standard.
In order to prevent unnecessary cost, duplication, and bureaucracy in health and safety assessment, all SSIP members have agreed to mutually recognise each other's schemes.
HSE's message for Clients, those who are procuring the services of suppliers to do construction work, is simple: "HSE encourages Clients to accept valid certification, based on assessment by any SSIP Forum Member assessment Scheme as having met the Core Criteria, and that Clients should not then require any further evidence at the prequalification assessment stage."
HAE EHA members with SafeHire Certification have the opportunity to be assessed against SSIP Core Criteria aligned with their audit schedule. Since gaining the ability to offer 'SSIP Approval' certification a wide range of member organisations both large and small in the plant tool, equipment and event hire sectors have successfully completed their assessments.
On Tuesday 24th October 2023 Director of Certification Services, Carl Bartlett and his team underwent the annual Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) audit. Carl said, "I'm delighted to confirm that we successfully passed the SSIP Forum Registered Member audit. Achieving 'SSIP Approval' aligned with SafeHire Certification Scheme registration provides confidence to potential clients, the wider industry, and trading standards, that association members have demonstrated their commitment to achieving compliance with recognised standards for Health and Safety."
To find out more about SafeHire or SSIP contact the Hire Certification Services team on 0121 380 4613, or email safehire@hae.org.uk.
Published: 02-11-2023