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| . | .NEWS |
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SAFE-T-CERT
THE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Introduction
Safe-T-Cert was developed jointly by the Construction Employers Federation in Belfast and
the Construction Industry Federation in Dublin and was launched in October 2000. Safe-T-Cert takes account of ‘best practice’ guidelines of relevant national and international bodies including the ILO.
Safe-T-Cert is a recognised system under the Build Safe initiative in Northern Ireland the Construction Safety Partnership in the Republic of Ireland.
The Benefits of Safe-T-Cert
Clients are assured that certified contractors have an effective safety and health management system.
Safe-T-Cert Certification provides contractors with third party support for pre-qualification and selection.
Certified contractors will be listed on the Safe-T-Cert register which is available to public and private sector clients.
Insurance companies may look favourably on contractors who have taken a pro-active approach to risk management as demonstrated through the achievement of Safe-T-Cert certification. CertificationA Joint Standards Advisory Panel (JSAP) including client bodies, professional bodies, Health and Safety Authority, Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland, Trade Unions and contractors advise on the standards for certification.
Only companies that have gone through a detailed certification process and have met the minimum criteria will receive certification. Certification is mutually recognised in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Companies can use Safe-T-Cert certification to demonstrate to clients that they have effective safety health and management systems and procedures.
Independent AuditAudits are carried out by approved Auditors on a Safe-T-Cert Panel of Auditors provided by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Auditors must:
The audit itself entails a detailed examination of the company’s safety and health documentation and procedures together with interviews, verification and site inspections. The Certification Process
Stage 1: Application
The contractor registers with Safe-T-Cert by completing an application form and paying the initial application fee.
Detailed guidance on the certification criteria is then issued.
The contractor develops and measures his companies safety management system against the Scheme criteria, and makes improvements as appropriate. (Separate assistance can be provided in this process).
Stage 2: Audit
When the contractor decides that his safety management system is at the required level he applies for the Safe-T-Cert Audit.
An auditor from the IOSH Panel will then be appointed by the Scheme.
The time required to complete the audit and the number of sites that the auditor will visit, will depend on the size and activities of the applicant company.
Stage 3: Audit Results
Following the audit, a report is submitted by the auditor to the Safe-T-Cert Scheme Manager with appropriate recommendations. The recommendations are either positive in which case the contractor has achieved at least the minimum standard and will be certified by the Scheme, or negative indicating that the contractor’s safety management system does not currently meet the required standard for certification.
Validity of Certification
Continued Safe-T-Cert certification is subject to annual verification by way of an audit and random inspections.
At this annual verification audit, the contractor must demonstrate the health and safety improvements specified at the previous audit.
After three years of Safe-T-Cert certification, the company must undergo a full audit again.
The Scheme has the right to suspend a contractor’s certification if at any time the contractor is not in compliance with the scheme rules.
Fees
The fees for Safe-T-Cert are based on the turnover of an applicant company. Information on the fee structure is available from the Scheme.
Information
If you would like more information, please contact:
In the Republic of Ireland:
Aidan Burke Safe-T-CertConstruction House Canal Road Dublin 6 Phone: 01 406 6000 Fax: 01 496 6953 E-mail: info@safe-t-cert.ie
‘Safe-T-Cert’ is a registered trademark in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
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The
Safety Management System for the Construction Industry |
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