HIRE Association Europe (HAE) has announced it has reached an agreement with Build UK to recognise the Common Assessment Standard as part of its SafeHire audit scheme.
This means HAE members with Common Assessment Standard certification will be exempt from completing aligned sections of the SafeHire private standard assessment, SafeHire Certification.
HAE said this will minimise costs and improve efficiency by reducing duplication.
The agreement is the result of discussions between HAE and Build UK to work through the checklist that is integral to SafeHire Certification and the questions required by the Common Assessment Standard.
HAE added that it will continue to perform the technical side of the audit, as this is the assessment role the organisation specialises in, which will help strengthen the supply chain by ensuring only sufficient accredited and safety-orientated hire businesses are available for projects.
The SafeHire Certification Scheme was launched in 2000 and has been developed with the guidance of safety and quality agencies, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In 2010 SafeHire was endorsed by the British Standards Institute (BSi) as a Private Standard.
HAE members achieving SafeHire Certification will prove competence in safety, health, environment and quality, meet client demands for high standards of service, and demonstrate a well trained workforce.
Carl Bartlett, HAE director of certification services, said, “I am delighted that HAE has joined other leading Build UK trade associations in accepting the Common Assessment Standard as part of our audit scheme. This means HAE members certified to the Common Assessment Standard are exempt from completing sections of SafeHire reducing duplication and supporting members to gain recognition for continual improvement and raising standards across the industry.”
Jo Fautley, deputy chief executive of Build UK, added, “The Common Assessment Standard continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted that HAE has become the latest Build UK trade association to accept it as part of its membership audit scheme. With a growing list of major contractors and clients now specifying the Common Assessment Standard for their pre-qualification requirements, HAE members will benefit from a reduction in duplication and cost, which is more important than ever in the current market.”
