What Is COP 119 and What Is Involved in Achieving Certification?

In the construction and contracting industries, adhering to legal requirements for health and safety will not only enhance efficiency but also earn the confidence of customers and other essential partners. COP 119 is one of the significant standards which is known as a certification in the UK construction industry. But what exactly does COP 119 stand for, and what are its prerequisites for achievement?

What Is COP 119?

COP 119 is known as Code of Practice 119 and was created by SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) along with other notable players in the construction and facilities management industries. It strives to define basic compliance criteria for Approved Contractor Schemes (ACS), especially those functioning as health and safety assessment schemes within the SSIP framework.

Its main focus is to validate that all contractors involved in a given supply chain are evaluated against a common set of respected standards in health and safety. It enables mutual acceptance of accredited schemes by different stakeholders throughout the construction industry, minimising repetition while promoting broader adherence.

Why Is COP 119 Important?

In a sector where safety, effectiveness, and compliance matter greatly, COP 119 harmonises the various health and safety requirements from different accrediting bodies. This equilibrium serves both contractors and clients because they only need to verify that a contractor is COP 119 compliant to be assured that he has undergone a thorough evaluation.

For firms planning to pursue SSIP accreditation or deal with primary contractors, housebuilders, or local government officials, COP 119 establishes a clear default measurable criterion. It is important, especially with its growing adoption as a prerequisite for certain locations or frameworks.

What Is Involved in Achieving COP 119 Certification?

Acquiring COP 119 certification usually comes with being accredited from an SSIP member scheme like SMAS, CHAS, SafeContractor, or Acclaim. While each scheme has its unique details, most share the same principles. 

1. Demonstrating Health and Safety Management Systems

You will have to show some documentation concerning your company's health and safety management system. This may include: 

• Written Health & Safety Policies
• Calculation sheets for Risk assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) 
• Safety training supervision strategies that involve monitoring and reviewing procedures 
• Procedures for accident reporting, including investigations 

2. Competence and Training Records 

Companies need to prove that their employees are trained properly. In this case, developing professional skills must be backed by verifiable training records and certifications, including CSCS cards.

3. Insurance and Legal Compliance 

In order to fulfil COP 119 criteria, businesses must hold current public liability as well as employers’ liability insurance, along with documented compliance with legislation such as health laws dating back to 1974.

4. Subcontractor Management

For a subcontractor, you need to show that you check their ability for proper assessment and monitoring of competence. This includes vetting processes, information sharing regarding safety, and conforming to the set standards of your organisation.

5. Performance Monitoring and Review

Every company must keep track of its performance on all aspects of the business, and sustainably monitor and review its health and safety performance. For certification, evidence like audits, inspections, incident tracking or reporting, among others, is required.

How Long Does It Take?

Time is always of the essence, and for your business, it solely depends on how prepared you are to document work procedures. Well-documented procedures can lead to certification of the business in 2–4 weeks. For some, further adjustments may be necessary to achieve full compliance with the standards.