ARB Approved Contractor achieves SSiP Membership

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi all, just a quick 'heads up' to let you know the ARB Approved Contractor (ArbAC) Scheme has achieved 'Registered Member' status of SSiP (Safety Schemes in Procurement, see SSIP - Safety Schemes In Procurement), a 'forum' supported by HSE and offering national recognition for H&S pre-qualification.

 

This gives the ArbAC scheme equal recognition with CHAS and SAFEcontractor etc. meaning that in future tree surgery contractors accredited with us shouldn't need to hold these other accreditations separately.

 

The SSiP auditor was particularly impressed by the fact we follow through the Stage 1 'desk-top' H&S assessment with the Stage 2 'on-site' assessment, unlike most of the other schemes, and the H&S etc. information freely available on the AA website (see Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor) to assist contractors with compliance.

 

If you are interested in becoming ARB Approved please contact me and/or look at the website at Become an ARB Approved Contractor

 

Thanks all..

Paul

[Peter]

Good stuff, and about time the Arb Approved scheme got that kind of status.

 

Congratulations to everyone involved, must have been a lot of work.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Good stuff, and about time the Arb Approved scheme got that kind of status.

 

Congratulations to everyone involved, must have been a lot of work.

 

Morning Peter, thanks for taking the time here, much appreciated.

 

It was a lot of hard work in the preparation and it was interesting to be on the receiving end of an audit/assessment, but very worthwhile, more particularly as we passed

 

I look forward to the day SSiP recognise those organisations who assess Stage 2 on site stuff, which includes us and very few others, and of course when everyone on ARBTALK is ARB APPROVED...where should I send the application form?

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Amelanchier]

Nice one Paul & co.

 

You say that in future an ArbAC wouldn't need to hold CHAS separately - any pointers on how close we are to that for existing ArbACs

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Nice one Paul & co.

 

You say that in future an ArbAC wouldn't need to hold CHAS separately - any pointers on how close we are to that for existing ArbACs

 

Thank you Tony, hope you're well.

 

In theory, we are there now as we are registered with, and appear on (which is what the 'service buyers' use apparently) the SSiP website.

 

In practice, if the requirement to hold CHAS / SAFEcontractor is based on a contractual requirement for an annual audit, then you will need to maintain this 'dual-accreditation' in the short term. This is because we don't currently have a mechanism to alert contractors of an annual audit requirement, as CHAS do very well and hence it makes sense to stick with them for the time being (plus we have a very good working relationship with CHAS and, as a founder member, they have been very supportive of the Arb Assoc and it's dealings with SSiP.)

 

Hope this makes sense and always happy to discuss individual cases directly.

 

Also, and lastly, remember you can do CHAS through us if you wish to avoid irrelevant questions from non-industry H&S professionals.)

 

Cheers..

Paul