71-75 Shelton St, London WC2H 9JQ
info@siaacsconsulting.co.uk
In the construction industry, following health and safety laws isn’t just for compliance; it should be part of the business workflow. Ensuring proper safety standards are upheld with numerous contractors and subcontractors collaborating on a project is extremely important. This is when SMAS Accreditation comes in handy.
What is SMAS Accreditation, and why do construction companies and their clients find it so crucial? In this article, I will cover the basics of SMAS, discuss its place in the SSIP context, and highlight its benefits to construction industry workers.
SMAS refers to Safety Management Advisory Services, and SMAS Accreditation is a contractor or supplier awarded a certification for meeting the mandatory health and safety requirements. It is one of the many schemes recognised under the SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) umbrella, which seeks to harmonise and simplify health and safety pre-qualification processes within the UK construction industry.
As an SSIP member scheme, SMAS accreditation benefits other member organisations through mutual recognition, meaning that after assessment with one member organisation, there is no need for reassessment by remaining members, thus reducing paperwork and assessments.
1. Shows Health & Safety Compliance
Construction site accidents can lead to devastating losses. Companies that have received the SMAS Accreditation have been evaluated independently and meet the required Health & Safety protocols. Your clients, as well as main contractors, are assured that your company will help them deal with safety compliance matters, is committed to managing risks, takes precautions in safety practice prioritisation, and adheres to legal frameworks.
2. Boosts Efficiency In Bidding And Supply Sections
Contractors and suppliers might have new opportunities because of holding a valid SMAS certificate. A gainful subcontractor is expected to be SSIP-accredited before working on many sites in today’s construction scene; this has become mandatory by principal contractors and developers. With SMAS Accreditation, your business stands a higher chance of getting shortlisted for tenders, thus improving efficiency.
3. Strengthens Business Value And Reputation
SMAS accreditation alerts potential customers and business partners that such a business puts great emphasis on operational safety while striving to maintain stringent standards and protocols at work. Many companies issuing subcontracts will only issue these contracts based on their reputation, ensuring compliance with professionalism alongside credibility.
4. Eliminates The Need to Repeat the PQQ Process
No longer do you need to complete multiple pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) with each new client or project. Due to the growing tendency among companies to accept SSIP certificates, SMAS-accredited ones no longer need to provide repetitive statements regarding the safety information provided without end.
To get SMAS Accreditation, your company will need to have an audit of your health and safety documents. These include policies, risk assessments, training records and even method statements. SMAS assessors scrutinise your procedures for compliance with the legal requirements and industry practices like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Accreditations are granted after passing the assessment, but approval is valid for only one year until it expires. Ensuring your documentation and adopting up-to-date health protocols makes renewals easier.
For these groups, we would recommend this accreditation:
From individuals to organisations, anyone with a SMAS accreditation stands out in the eyes of procurement managers, which helps you win more contracts for your business.
In the construction business, having SMAS Accreditation is significant in a competitive and strictly regulated field. Not only does it enhance credibility, but it also highlights the efforts taken towards maintaining safety standards, professionalism, and makes self-improvement a priority for the company.
Attaining a recognised SMAS accreditation offers businesses opportunities to strengthen their reputation and gain client trust while simultaneously promoting better safety measures across the industry.
If your aim is to expand your construction firm and collaborate with major contractors, acquiring SMAS Accreditation would surely take you further.