The Team at Choice Services is delighted to have recently achieved a Safe-T-Cert, a scheme designed to certify the Safety Management Systems of contractors working in the construction industry.
Achieving the certificate means Choice aligns with industry health and safety standards required by third-party contractors who tender for Choice projects. Safe-T-Cert is externally audited, and organisations must provide up to three months evidence in running the safety management system.
Choice Services adjusted existing systems to meet the requirements of Safe-T-Cert and provided evidence to the auditor for assessment. The auditor then completed a site inspection to ensure the system was applied appropriately.
Speaking about the Safe-T-Cert, Alfred Smallwoods, Choice HSQE Manager said, “Safety has become the most important focus of Choice Services outside of contract performance and there has been a considerable buy-in across the organisation. Achieving the Safe-T-Cert is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff over the years. This milestone serves as a catalyst for continual improvement.”
Benefits of this third-party health and safety management system include compliance with regulations and reduction in workplace risks. The system also provides expert, unbiased assessments which enhance efficiency by streamlining safety processes, minimising incidents, and lowering insurance costs. By fostering a strong safety culture, employee morale, engagement and wellbeing is boosted and absenteeism is reduced. Additionally, Safe-T-Cert strengthens the organisations reputation, and supports industry certifications, giving the business a competitive edge.
Mr Smallwoods concludes, “In the last twelve months, Choice Services has seen a significant decrease in reportable incidents and an increase in near-miss reporting, which is a positive step forward. A strong management and supervisory team and also the cultural change by our engineers have been key to this success, reflecting a real cultural shift in safety at Choice Services. The challenge now lies in maintaining these standards, but with a clear path ahead, I look forward to fostering this progress in the coming years.”
