How to get your business SSIP certified

SSIP certification demonstrates your business’s commitment to Health & Safety standards, making it easier to meet client requirements and stay compliant with regulations.

SSIP certification brings several benefits to your business, including an improved reputation, increased tender opportunities, and potentially lower insurance premiums.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to get SSIP certification and explain why Smas Worksafe can help make the process simple and hassle-free.

 

What is SSIP certification?

SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement and is recognised across various industries. In essence, SSIP acts as a stamp of approval that shows your commitment to Health & Safety in the workplace. It proves to potential clients that you take safety seriously and meet the highest industry standards.

But SSIP isn’t just one thing. It is an umbrella term for a variety of assessment schemes, with some of the most popular being Smas Worksafe, CHAS, Acclaim, and SafeContractor. They all share the same core goal – to make sure businesses are managing Health & Safety effectively.

 

The history of SSIP

SSIP’s origins date back to when the CDM Regulations introduced Stage 1 Core Criteria for assessing Health & Safety competence in the construction sector. Previously, companies were often required to prove their safety compliance multiple times for different clients, which was time-consuming and inefficient. This prompted existing prequalification schemes to create SSIP.

In 2013, SSIP became even more comprehensive with the introduction of PAS 91, a document that set out Health & Safety pre-qualification standards for the construction industry. This expansion made SSIP even more robust and widely applicable.

Today, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) recognises SSIP certification as “deemed to satisfy” the core criteria for Health & Safety compliance, making it a valuable certification for businesses across various sectors such as education, healthcare, transport and so on.

 

Do I need SSIP certification?

One common misconception about SSIP certification is that it’s only for large companies or high-risk industries. In reality, SSIP is available to businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small contractor, a medium-sized firm, or a large organisation, SSIP certification can benefit your business by demonstrating your commitment to safety and improving your chances of winning tenders.

 

How to get SSIP certified

To achieve SSIP certification, you don’t apply directly to SSIP. Instead, SSIP sets out the core criteria mentioned above and approved Assessment Bodies—like Smas Worksafe—provide programmes to meet these criteria. At Smas Worksafe, we can get you SSIP certified in just 1-7 days! We’re all about making it simple for you – and here’s how we do it:

 

1. Choose an SSIP member scheme

The first thing you need to do is choose an SSIP member scheme. As an SSIP member ourselves, we can provide you with rapid certification, contact with our expert in-house assessors and more. It’s important you pick the suitable scheme for your business, with the SSIP requirements being different for each one. It’s also important to consider SSIP cost and choose a member that fits your budget.

 

2. Gather documentation

So your business can get certified, you’ll need to prove you meet the required standards for the scheme. This means presenting existing Health & Safety documents such as:

 

• Health & Safety Policy: This overarching document outlines your company’s commitment to Health & Safety, defines the roles and responsibilities of staff members, and establishes the basic safety procedures that should be followed at all times.
• Risk Assessments: These identify potential hazards present in your workplace, assess the level of risk associated with each hazard, and outline specific control measures that must be implemented to mitigate those risks and ensure the safety of everyone.
• Method Statements: Detailed step-by-step plans that outline how specific tasks and activities should be carried out safely. They include information on potential hazards, necessary precautions, and the risk control measures that must be in place.
• Staff Training Records: Documented proof that employees have received the necessary Health & Safety training relevant to their roles and responsibilities. They demonstrate your commitment to employee competence and safety awareness.
• Safety Audits/Inspection Records: Reports evaluating the effectiveness of your existing safety practices. They highlight areas where your safety management system excels and identify areas where improvements or adjustments are needed to enhance overall safety performance.

By providing this information, you show that your company is committed to maintaining high safety standards and is ready for SSIP assessment.

 

3. Undertake an assessment

Next up is the SSIP assessment. This is the all-important step that decides whether you’ve passed SSIP certification. When you have submitted all evidence, your business will be assessed, which could involve a site visit or a review of the documents you’ve provided.

 

4. Get certified!

Once the assessment is complete and you meet the SSIP requirements, then you’ll be certified! You will receive official confirmation and certification, enabling you to utilise the SSIP logo and leverage the benefits associated with certification status.

 

5. Maintain certification

It doesn’t stop there. It’s up to you to maintain your high Health & Safety standards by keeping your policies up-to-date and compliant with the latest legislation. This is a big indicator for clients showing them that your business can consistently meet the SSIP requirements for Health & Safety.

 

The benefits of SSIP certification for businesses

There are lots of benefits to businesses for achieving SSIP certification, including helping them to remain compliant with legal requirements and boosting client relationships. But that’s not all; here are some more benefits of SSIP:

 

• Simplifies the bidding process

As a contractor, many clients accept SSIP certification, allowing you to bypass lengthy assessments and focus on what truly matters – showcasing your expertise and winning the bid.

• Raises your business profile

SSIP certification is a recognised mark of excellence in Health & Safety. Displaying the logo on your website and marketing materials instantly boosts your credibility and professionalism.

• Gain a competitive advantage

When clients are evaluating potential partners, safety is a non-negotiable. SSIP certification sets you apart from the competition by demonstrating your commitment to a safe and healthy working environment.

• Reduce pre-qualification costs

Time is money, and repeatedly completing pre-qualification questionnaires for each potential client can drain both. SSIP certification streamlines this process, eliminating redundant paperwork and reducing administrative costs.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of SSIP and what it is, then take a look at our page, SSIP Certification.

 

Get SSIP certified with Smas Worksafe!

Are you ready to get SSIP certified with Smas Worksafe? We’re experts in this area and can guide you to a successful SSIP certification in no time.

We can put you in direct contact with an expert team of in-house assessors to help you prepare for an SSIP assessment.

Why not take a look at our SSIP services to see how we can help you?

Looking to further enhance your team’s expertise?

We also offer a range of CITB-approved training courses designed to upskill your workforce and advance their careers. Choose from essential programmes like:

• Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme
• Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (Refresher Course)
• Site Management Safety Training Scheme
• Health & Safety Awareness (HSA)

Get in touch to find out more. Our industry experts are always ready to support you with your enquiry.