What is an SSIP accreditation and how can it help me win more business?

Posted 4 years ago

Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) are an umbrella organisation that combines multiple occupational Health & Safety schemes in order to help bring down costs for suppliers and buyers in the construction sector in particular.

“SSIP is committed to ensure reduction in health and safety assessment costs and bureaucracy in the supply chain, by making cross-recognition between member schemes as effective as possible.” – SSIP

We spoke to our friends over at SMAS Worksafe about all things SSIP…

A brief history of SSIP

When the CDM Regulations introduced Stage 1 Core Criteria for assessing Health & Safety competence of contractors and consultants working in the construction sector, it allowed existing Health & Safety prequalification schemes to develop mutual recognition, which was where SSIP was created

SSIP later became enhanced when we were introduced to the Health & Safety pre-qualification in the 2013 version of the construction pre-qualification document PAS 91.

The HSE played a crucial role in the development of the SSIP Forum, and it continues to support it to this day. They see an accreditation certification from a SSIP Scheme Member as “deemed to satisfy” in their core criteria requirements.

What are the benefits of SSIP accreditation?

SSIP accreditation can benefit companies in the construction sector and other related businesses of any size by:

• Helping to simply the application process when bidding on a job
• Helping to reduce any costs associated with pre-qualification bureaucracy
• Helping to raise your organisation’s profile, essentially acting as a marketing tool
• Helping to streamline your supply chain
• Helping your business to achieve instant safety credentials, giving you some legitimacy
• Helping you to manage risks more effectively
• Making sure your company can be found on the SSIP online portal

Regardless of your role within CDM, there are many reasons to work towards SSIP registration in addition to Occupational Health & Safety compliance.

“SSIP is widely regarded as the most efficient route to demonstrating health and safety by multiple industries. SMAS Worksafe is a leading SSIP accreditation provider which can help improve your visibility with the leading procurers in your field.”

How have SSIP Accreditations helped organisations throughout COVID-19?

“SSIP certification in many cases is a passport to access work with main contractors, so by keeping Health and Safety accreditations up to date, contractors have been able to mobilise their teams and get them on site working at short notice, knowing that they already have the pre-qualification of H&S addressed according to a recognised HSE standard.”

How can my business achieve SSIP accreditation? What are the requirements?

“All SSIP assessments are assessed to the same core criteria. The assessment SMAS Worksafe assessment is just 15 questions featuring questions around a companies health and safety policy, method statements, both risk and COSHH assessments, as well as proof of any qualifications.”

What’s the most effective way of getting accredited?

Our friends at SMAS Worksafe are one of the leading members of the SSIP Forum with over 25,000 registered contractors.

They offer two types of forms to its contractors: a full assessment for previously non-accredited suppliers, and a Deemed to Satisfy assessment for suppliers who already own an SSIP member scheme certificate but are looking to gain a new membership with SMAS.

Accreditation can be achieved in as little as three days thanks to the work of their in-house team.

If you’d like to find out more about how SMAS Worksafe can help you achieve SSIP accreditation, get in touch with them today!

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