Do you need help or assistance with SSIP?

The revised Construction (Design & Management) Regulations, which came into force in April 2007, introduced the Stage 1 Core Criteria for assessing health and safety competence of contractors and consultants working in the construction industry.

The introduction of these competence criteria provided an opportunity for existing health and safety prequalification schemes to build on and formalise mutual recognition already in operation amongst some schemes.

The aim of SSIP is that clients can go to the website and check that you have a current Health & Safety Policy, amongst other Health & Safety documentation that will help you win the tender over other companies.

The SSIP Forum will:

• act as an umbrella organisation to facilitate mutual recognition between health and safety pre-qualification schemes wherever it is practicable to do so.
• actively advise and influence clients about acceptable interpretation and appropriateness of health and safety competence standards in UK schemes.
• embrace the core guidance on competence and training in the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

How can HS Direct help me?

Constructionline require as part of their registration process that a health and safety questionnaire is completed by the supplier. It is important to note however that this is a self-certification of health and safety compliance and Constructionline do not check the validity of the information provided. Constructionline leave any checking that may be required to the buyer to carry out.

However, if the Constructionline applicant is already registered with a SSIP health and safety competence assessment scheme, this replaces the requirement for the health and safety questions to be answered.

HS Direct will assist you putting together the application and all your supporting evidence to help get your company on the SSIP register. Being on the SSIP register allows other people/companies to search for you through the SSIP portal to check your status on Health & Safety.

Being a part of the SSIP Scheme assists and supports you through the application process of CHAS, Constructionline, EXOR and National House-Building Council - giving you an advantage and quicker access to their accreditation register.