Smas Worksafe’s Managing Director, Danny Marinou, takes us through how Smas certification can help contractors overcome new challenges in 2026.

2025 has been an interesting year for the construction industry. From tariffs in the beginning of the year to severe Gateway Two delays in recent months, it has been more important than ever for contractors and clients alike to strengthen their supply chains and prepare for every eventuality.

At Smas, we’ve made it our mission to help our customers however we can – from expert certification, covering everything from private to public sector contracts, to expert software and supply chain management solutions – we’re here to help.

We’re here to take you through what’s been going on at Smas recently, and how we can help you get ready for any challenges on the horizon as we head into 2026

The Worksafe hattrick: Manage risk with ease

Earlier this year, we launched our Worksafe Pro package, meaning we are now able to offer the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) certification.

Recommended by PPN 03/24, CAS sets the benchmark for public sector contracts and high-risk private sector projects. It offers a comprehensive assessment of a company’s business practices, ensuring supply chains work to exceptional standards of safety and compliance.

With the introduction of Worksafe Pro, we now offer certification tiers for every and all size of business:

  • Worksafe: Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) certification
  • Worksafe Plus: SSIP plus additional assessments of environmental and quality management, the Building Safety Act, Financial & Business Standing, and Corporate & Professional Standing
  • Worksafe Pro: The Common Assessment Standard, building off the previous tiers with the inclusion of Corporate Social Responsibility, information security, and Building Information Modelling (BIM)

With our Risk Calculator, clients and contractors alike are able to assess which level of certification suits their business needs. Firstly, you tailor the default weightings (safety, financial, environmental, quality, etc.) to reflect your organisation’s unique risk appetite and governance priorities. Then, enter contractor details, such as trade, spend, and risk factors, to generate an evidence-based risk score that reflects their operational exposure. You’ll then receive a risk score, with an estimation of which certification tier is best for your business.

The Smas Portal: Helping new clients find their supply chains

We’ve been delighted to welcome several new clients to Smas Worksafe since January, including MV Kelly, Fox Construction Solutions, and Castle Green Homes.

Via the Smas Portal, clients can locate relevant contractors from across the UK, filtering results based on:

  • Geographical proximity
  • Certification status
  • Skillset
  • CDM scope (e.g. Principal designer or contractor)

Our network currently has over 35,000 contractors, unlocking new opportunities for our members wherever they are in the country. We give people exposure to some of the biggest names in the business, including Taylor Wimpey, Cala Homes, and Barratt Redrow.

Supported by exceptional service: Our team of experts

Something that sets Smas apart from other certification providers is our dedication to keeping everything to do with our assessment process in-house. Our team is made up of experts. People who care intensely about the work they do, and will go the extra mile to make sure our members get the best possible service.

We help guide customers though the assessment process from beginning to end, answering any questions they may have to give them the best possible chance of passing their certification application first time. Of course, this isn’t always possible – in which case, we’ll review what went wrong, and where improvements can be made for future attempts.

Industry insights: Our connection to the SSIP board

We are very proud to announce that our Technical Manager, Simon Kelly, has been granted a place on the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Board. This directly gives Smas an opportunity to learn about and influence the landscape of Health & Safety certification, further benefiting our members.

We’ll have direct insight into new developments and regulatory practices, helping contractors and clients alike stay compliant and at the forefront of industry Health & Safety practices.

Stay safe with Smas

It’s been my privilege to lead Smas Worksafe, operating alongside my incredible colleagues, delivering true value to our members. In fact, our Technical Director, Adam Annetts, recently completed new research that compared Smas SSIP-certified contractors against national RIDDOR and HSE benchmark rates. We found that Smas-certified contractors have:

  • 76.88% fewer RIDDOR-reportable incidents
  • 77.58% fewer fatal injuries
  • 63.10% lower enforcement rate

We’re excited to conduct more research and explore these statistics further, as they highlight the genuine impact that Health & Safety certification has in the construction industry.

You can download and read our full report here.

For more information on our Worksafe packages, or if you’d like to see how Smas’s supply chain solutions can benefit your company, get in touch today on 01752 281185 or by email at info@smasltd.com.