Health and safety is something all business owners should consider - especially in the construction industry where there are hazards everywhere.
Achieving the SMAS accreditation might just be what your business needs - but what exactly is SMAS? What does it stand for? And how can it help your business?
Keep reading to learn more about the SMAS Worksafe accreditation, and to find out exactly how your business can benefit from gaining it.
What Is SMAS Worksafe?
SMAS stands for Safety Management Advisory Services and is a nationally recognised health and safety accreditation that can prove your business meets health and safety standards.
A registered part of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP), SMAS Worksafe is a health and safety assessment organisation that boasts professionalism, efficiency, and quality customer service.
Achieving the SMAS Worksafe accreditation proves that you’re a safe business, giving you an edge against competitors.
SMAS assesses various areas - one of the main areas being health and safety training, and health and safety policy. In 2021, every workplace and business should be health and safety compliant.
Another area that SMAS looks at is health and safety arrangements regarding SMAS and SMAS-buyer standards, contractor management and competence. Achieving SMAS accreditation is a way to quickly and effectively demonstrate that you are health and safety compliant and entirely competent.
It can also increase your chances of getting more business - whether it be by being on the preferred supplier lists for any tenders, or by simply building the reputation of your business.
Why Should I Apply for SMAS?
It is essential for any business or workplace to demonstrate health and safety compliance.
However, in 2021, simply meeting regulations isn’t enough - in order to gain a competitive edge, you should achieve certain accreditations and prove your knowledge on the matter.
SMAS Proves You’re Competent
Having SMAS accreditation proves to contractors that you are competent and that you take health and safety seriously.
If your system already meets the core criteria of SSIP, why not gain SMAS Worksafe accreditation to advertise that you’re serious about health and safety?
Alternatively, if your business is currently lacking in health and safety, why not take the relevant steps to become knowledgeable and compliant with health and safety procedures?
SMAS will further your understanding of health and safety, which is beneficial to yourself, your business, and any potential clients.
SMAS Can Improve Your Business
The SMAS records are viewed by various different client teams - and it would typically cost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds for advertising to reach the kind of audience that SMAS reaches.
Having SMAS accreditation can easily get your business spotted by clients, proving your reliability and dedication and ultimately allowing you to acquire more business.
For health and safety purposes, any clients will need to be sure that any subcontractors they hire are competent.
Having a SMAS certificate makes the process much easier - you simply need to show the certificate to any potential clients for them to see that you are both capable and health and safety compliant.
If you’re a small business, having SMAS Worksafe accreditation will increase the chances of landing work from much larger corporate clients.
You Can Easily Gain Other Accreditations
Another benefit of gaining SMAS accreditation is that it will be much easier for you to get other accreditations.
Registered member schemes such as SafeContractor or CHAS won’t need you to repeat the core questions, so you’ll have already completed part of the requirements. This makes it much quicker and easier for you to further your accreditation portfolio.
Likewise, if you already have accreditation with another SSIP member scheme, it will be much easier for you to gain SMAS approval. You’ll simply have to complete a quick verification form and show your current existing certificate.
If you’re ever required to complete a Construction Line questionnaire or a PAS 91, then having a SMAS certificate means that you won’t have to complete the core health and safety questions.
SMAS Ensures You’re up to Date With H&S
Having valid SMAS Worksafe accreditation will ensure that your health and safety management system remains appropriate.
The rules and regulations regarding health and safety are prone to change - so regularly completing SMAS requirements and opting for annual certification by SMAS will ensure that you’re regularly audited, ensuring your health and safety processes are relevant and up to date.
Anything you fail in a SMAS assessment will be noted and you’ll be advised of it - and as long as you rectify the failings, you won’t be charged to reapply.