The pros of outsourcing defiently outweigh the cons, but before you form a partnership with an Health & Safety consultant you must learn all you can about outsourcing. Once you are fully informed you can decide if outsourcing is right for your business and how it can help you.

Following is a list of pros and cons of outsourcing:

Pros of Outsourcing

• Up to date professional advice when you need it
• Gives you access to skilled professionals at low cost
• The confidence in knowing your legal duties are covered
• Reduces your cost of doing business, as you save on infrastructure, workforce, hiring costs, training costs, and technology and software investments
• Allows you to focus more on your core business functions

Cons of Outsourcing

• You will have to rely on the expertise of another company without fully understanding all the detail yourself
• You need to ensure that your outsource partner is available for your working hours not just theirs
• You need to understand turn around times and accept them
• You may not be able to get what you want when you want it
• You have to trust the information they provide is accurate and up to date

Outsourcing your Health & Safety resource can give your business the competitive edge it requires to win work and be successful on tenders.

If anything, the disadvantages of outsourcing give you the opportunity to think before-hand about the things you need to keep in mind when selecting an outsourcing partner.

If you are looking to outsource your Health & Safety we can support you, get in touch.

Risk Assessments & Method Statements

Here at Seguro we know that Risk Assessments & Method Statements can seem a daunting task when you have to start them from scratch. We have developed a library of RAMS that can be used within your business on a day to day basis.

We constantly update our RAMS with the latest activity based ones we have created. Our RAMS can be purchased individually or in a pack depending on what you need. If you are unsure if we have the RAMS you need please visit our SHOP and see what you can find. There are some examples listed below:

Risk Assessment & Method Statement For Screeding
Plumbing Works Risk Assessment & Method Statement
External Painting Risk Assessment & Method Statement
Risk assessment & method statement for commercial electrical installation

We also offer a Health & Safety Risk Assessments Pack which contains 65 templates covering a range of subjects.

If you cant find what your looking for please get in touch and we can see if we can help.

Looking for an SSIP accreditation SMAS might be the way forward for your business

With one of the cheapest assessment fees for all the SSIP groups this accreditation could help you keep your renewal fees down for 2023.

 

The number of employees is based on full time employees and labour only sub contractors which you have in the business at the time of your application.

If you are looking for any help or support completing the application, or are in need a safety advisor to assist you throughout the year please get in touch.

Pre Qualification Questionnaire Guide (PQQ)

Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, also commonly know as a ‘PQQ’, is a questionnaire that companies (suppliers ) have to fill in when looking to tender for schemes they want to work on. PQQ are used when applying for an approved supplier list or when applying for most accreditation schemes. They are pro-dominantly used in the public sector, but can be used for private sector tenders too.

Filling out a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire for the public sector, is an important process as they are used as a way to standardise all suppliers and the information needed to make a decisions when appointing new contracts. As all information is standard the PQQ can help to make a short list easier as companies are able to look at information in the same format and detail.

PQQs are scored according to the answers that you give so you need to ensure they are well thought out and give the best impression you can give of your company and its capabilities.

What is asked in a PQQ?

Every PQQ you fill in is effectively your companies marketing tool, filling out the PQQ to the best of your ability will allow you to show that your company is the best choice.

In general, a PQQ will need information about your:

• Status
• Finances
• Quality Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Health and Safety Policy

We provide help if needed to complete any PQQ you may have been given as well as advice in ensuring that you have all the information you may need for further Pre Qualification Questionnaires you get.

What is SMAS?

SMAS is part of the SSIP accreditation scheme known as  ‘Safety Schemes In Procurement’ (SSIP). When you begin working for clients they may ask you to become a member of SSIP. This is so they can be assured that your H&S practices are up to standard with a third party certification.

As a consultant that assists with the paperwork needed we are focusing on saving our clients money where we can. SMAS is one of the most reasonable outlays for your business and to renew year on year.

If you have any questions or would like us to help you get your accreditation please get in touch on 0800 031 5404.

What is a Risk Assessment & Method Statement?

A Risk Assessment & Method Statement is used to describe in a logical sequence exactly how work  is to be carried out using safe practices and without risks to health. It should include all the risks previously identified in the risk assessment and the measures needed to control those risks.

How do I complete a risk assessment?

There are a number of free templates available and the HSE has some you can download and amend.

We also have templates available that are for specific industries and can be implemented into your business straight away. Click Here

The different between a small and a large CHAS application

We often get companies asking us what is the difference between having 4 employees or 5 when applying for CHAS. CHAS define an employee as someone who you pay through your PAYE system, there are different assessment fees due depending on the number of employees you declare.

In particular to CHAS there is an increased number of documents you need to provide as well as evidence of your safety arrangements including Health & Safety policy.

Once you have 5 employees or more you have legal requirements under the Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1974, you need to have formal arrangements in place for competent Safety advice as well as a full Heath & Safety Management system.

If you are not sure which bracket you fall under, or if you have enough documentation to satisfy the assessment get in touch and we will be able to provide you with advice.

The Importance Of Safe Manual Handling In Your Business

All manual work involves lifting and handling to some extent. Although mechanical equipment should be used whenever practicable, much of the work will inevitably continue to be done manually. The risk of injury can be greatly reduced by a knowledge and application of correct lifting and handling techniques and by taking a few elementary precautions.

Manual handling relates to transporting or supporting of a load (including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force” It is the most common recognised reason for injury at work.

In any case, it’s not simply ‘pulling something’ because of the heaviness of an item, injuries can be brought on in different causes, for example:

• Reaching and lifting over your head
• Long carrying distances
• Twisting
• Bending
• Any poor stance positions
• Lifting or carrying objects with awkward or odd shapes

Over 20% of all accidents occurring in the UK Construction Industry each year involve injuries sustained whilst manually lifting and handling materials or equipment. This incorporates Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), e.g. injuries or pain in the body’s joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back. Manual handling injuries can happen anyplace inside of the working environment; However, manual labour, existing injuries and unbalanced stance positions can increase the risks.

Manual handling can have consequential implications for the employer and for the individual who has been injured. The employer may bring about some significant expenses, for example, sickness payment, lost production, retraining of a brief labourer, over time to cover the absence and, possibly, compensation. The injured individual may find that their capacity to carry out their occupation has been influenced and their way of life may need to change.

In this manner, it is basic that you must consider the risks and where there are risks, regulations apply.

The Regulations establish a clear hierarchy of measures:

• AVOID handling operations involving risk of injury
• ASSESS operations involving risk of injury that cannot be avoided
• REDUCE the risk of injury e.g. using handling aids and provide information on the load
• REVIEW the assessment

Employers Duties

• Carry out a Manual Handling Assessment
• Reduce risk of injury
• Replace Manual tasks where possible
• Introduce mechanical aids

Employees likewise have responsibilities:

• Make proper use of equipment & follow safe working systems
• Co-operate with their employer
• Ensure others are not put at risk
• Avoid tasks likely to cause injury
• Co-operate with the employer to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others

There are numerous routes in which manual handling can be maintained, see the HSE’s brief guide on manual handling.