Armstrong is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme,designed to help industry improve its safety record.
Armstrong,a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment and off-site manufactured plantrooms,recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor,a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.The accreditation covers Armstrong's UK field service operations.
The company's application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company's ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.
Andy Worthington,Field Services Manager for Armstrong commented,'We are dedicated to maintaining safe working practices both in the field and in our production facilities in Birmingham and Manchester.The SAFEcontractor programme is valuable for our business as it provides a well-established framework for safe working practices and also recognises the achievements of our field based team.?
SAFEcontractor is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture,property,facilities management,retail and leisure sectors,all of which are big users of contract services.
John Kinge,Head of Risk at SAFEcontractor said,"Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies".
"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Armstrong has done.The firm high standard has set an example,which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector".
Under the SAFEcontractor system,businesses undergo a vetting process,which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice.Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database,which is accessible to registered users only via a Website.
Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database,enabling them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site.These employers agree that,as users of the scheme,they will engage only those who have received accreditation.
Over one hundred and fifty major nation-wide businesses,from several key sectors,have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building,cleaning,maintenance,refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.
