FEATURE
BADGE OF HONOUR
An innovative new scheme to increase the health and safety competence of operatives has almost halved the accident
incident rate at a major engineering company over the past two years. Anthony Melia, Managing Director of SHEQ consultancy Aspen Thorn, explains.
Back in 2012, when Liverpool-based mechanical, engineering and public health (MEP) firm HE Simm asked us to audit its supply chain, we identified areas for improvement for on-site health and safety. In particular, although subcontractors were sending the correct documentation, there was still disparity in individuals’ ability to work safely and responsibly. It was clear that culture change was needed.
Working closely together, Passport to Work was introduced, an innovative approach to upskill its UK supply chain and improve on-site health and safety. Without a Passport to Work card, operatives cannot work on an HE Simm site.
THE PASSPORT PROCESS All potential subcontractors for HE Simm go through a
rigorous onboarding process. Once signed off on the vendor schedule, everyone who is going to work on site – from plumbers and pipefitters to electricians and laggers – must apply for a Passport to Work.
The Passport to Work is a guarantee that all individuals working on a HE Simm site have the appropriate training and qualifications to work safely. Operatives log on to an online portal, where they upload evidence of: Their trade-specific CSCS card (proving they have the training and qualifications for their job on site); IOSH working safely training; behavioural safety training; other role-dependent training (e.g. working at height, face mask). The requirements for each passport are tailored for the trade.
When all evidence is in place, the individual is issued with a Passport to Work card with photo ID to show they have got the skills to go on site and work safely.
UPSKILLING THE SUPPLY CHAIN To ensure that subcontractors’ training needs are
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“THE PASSPORT TO WORK IS A GUARANTEE THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS WORKING ON A HE SIMM SITE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS TO WORK SAFELY. “
met, we deliver bespoke IOSH working safely and behavioural safety courses (an individual might attend as many as three behavioural safety sessions during a construction project). As a result of the increased awareness of health and safety, over half of HE Simm’s subcontractors have gone on to access additional advice and training from Aspen Thorn.
This has helped bring a real coherence and quality to the whole supply chain that is recognised industry- wide. There’s real credibility attached to working for HE Simm and the Passport to Work has become a badge of honour.
WHAT DIFFERENCE HAS IT MADE? The Passport to Work scheme, with its extra level of
due diligence, has brought increased peace of mind for HE Simm and its clients. The quality of subcontractors working on site has improved. Only firms of a certain calibre will make it through the onboarding process of the Passport to Work scheme.
The impact of Passport to Work has been impressive. The accident incident rate on HE Simm sites has reduced by 44% over the past two years, during a period when the company’s workload has expanded to a turnover of over £100m. In the last 12 months, across HE Simm’s projects, 1.7m hours were worked without a reportable incident. This resulted in insurance savings for the whole supply chain, including 27% across the board for HE Simm. Passport to Work is an investment that pays dividends.
Moving forward, Passport to Work looks set to drive up standards across the industry, with a growing number of MEP contractors interested in emulating the approach across their own supply chains.
www.aspenthorn.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
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