National Windscreens is delighted to announce that it has been awarded accreditation from Safecontractor for its commitment to achieving excellence in health and safety.
Safecontractor is a leading independent accreditation scheme which recognises very high standards in health and safety management amongst UK contractors.
Employing more than 1000 people, National Windscreens is the UK’s largest independently owned windscreen repair and replacement specialist, and works with some of the country’s leading insurers, insurance brokers and fleet operators.
The company’s application for Safecontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.
Managing Director, Pete Marsden, says, “We operate the largest fitting centre network in the UK, consisting of 108 centres supported by more than 800 mobile glazing technicians. As a national company working with major insurers, fleet operators and UK motorists, it’s vital that we offer a consistently safe service across the board. Safecontractor accreditation reinforces our national commitment to providing a safe service for all of our clients.”
Safecontractor 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 contracted services.
John Kinge, Technical Director of Safecontractor said, "Major organisations simply cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies in place.
"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that National Windscreens has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector."
Under the Safecontractor scheme, businesses undergo a vetting process which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website.
Client-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, enabling them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These clients agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.
Over 210 major, nation-wide 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.
National Windscreens operates 108 fitting centres supported by more than 800 mobile units, ensuring that on average a UK motorist is never more than 11 miles or 20 minutes away from a skilled National Windscreens technician.