Pointer Ltd - General - Standards in Health and Safety

Date: 07 Apr 2006

Pointer Ltd is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme designed to help the construction industry improve its safety record. The Glasgow based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors.

Employing 180 STAFF, Pointer is principally involved in the design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of IP and hybrid integrated security solutions. Specialising in solutions for major blue chip and public sector organisations, Pointer's clients include Exxon Mobil, Forth Ports, Argos, Boots the Chemist and the Nationwide Building Society.

The company's application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business. Marketing Co-ordinator Andrew Kirby stated "The SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance Pointer's ability to attract new contracts and proves our commitment to safety."

SAFEcontractor is operated by international safety, health and environmental risk management specialists, the National Britannia Group. The system is applicable to most sectors, although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services.

James Ostler, Managing Director of Information Services at National Britannia said, "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies."

"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Pointer has done. The firms' high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector."

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice.

Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. Those employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation. Over eighty major nationwide businesses, from several key sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.

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