The Safety Schemes in Procurement is not a certification itself, but more like an umbrella that covers several health and safety schemes in the UK.
Under it, you’ll find assessment bodies like CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline, and others. SSIP exists to make life easier for contractors, clients, and suppliers.
Instead of filling out endless health and safety paperwork for every job you bid on, SSIP lets you show one recognised certificate that meets the industry standard.
SSIP has been around since 2009 and is supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which means it carries real weight. If a client sees that you’re SSIP-certified, they know your business meets all the important health and safety standards.
I’ll walk you through what SSIP is, how it works, which one you should choose, and how I can help you get certified quickly and easily.
How SSIP Certification Works
You don’t apply to SSIP itself. Instead, you go through one of the SSIP member schemes. They’ll assess your health and safety policies, risk assessments, training records, and insurance details. If you meet the standards, they’ll certify you, and your details get listed on the SSIP Portal.
This portal is important because it shows potential clients that you’re pre-approved for health and safety, helping you stand out when tendering for work.
If you already have a valid certificate from one SSIP member, you can often use it to satisfy (“Deem to Satisfy“) the requirements of another scheme without doing the assessment all over again.
Which SSIP Certification Should You Get?
The SSIP member scheme you go for depends on your type of work and who you plan to work with. Some of the popular options are:
- CHAS
- SafeContractor
- Constructionline (Acclaim)
- SMAS Worksafe
If you’re mainly working in construction, schemes like CHAS and Constructionline’s Acclaim SSIP are widely recognised and often requested by clients.
From my experience, CHAS tends to be a good all-rounder. Constructionline is great if you want to appear in a big directory of approved contractors, and SafeContractor is a strong choice if you want a badge that clients trust across different industries.
If you’re not sure which one is right for you, I can help you choose based on your business and goals. You can call me to book a free consultation at Sam at +44(0)20 8059 3633 or email info@traininhealthandsafety.com.
This is How to Get SSIP Certified
You don’t apply to SSIP itself. Instead, you go through an SSIP member like CHAS, Acclaim, or SafeContractor. If you already have SSIP certification with one scheme and want to join another, you can use a Deem to Satisfy certificate.
It’s a shortcut that lets you transfer your certification without repeating the whole process. This is a simple version of how the process works and how I help businesses get their SSIP certification.
1. Pick Your SSIP Member Scheme
Start by choosing a member that suits your sector and budget. I’ll help you choose the right member scheme based on your needs and clients.
2. Gather your documents to complete your application
You’ll need to fill in an online form and submit supporting documents showing you take health and safety seriously. Expect to provide:
- A current Health and Safety Policy (signed within the last 12 months)
- Risk assessments and method statements
- Insurance certificates (employers’ and public liability)
- Staff training records
- Records of accident reporting and investigations
For your health and safety policy, make sure it includes a policy statement showing your commitment (signed within the last 12 months), an organization section defining responsibilities, and an arrangements section spelling out specific safety procedures.
If you’re a small company with fewer than five employees, you still need to show evidence of safe working practices, but you might not need as much paperwork. Don’t worry if you don’t have all these ready. Part of what I do is help you prepare and polish them.
3. Complete and submit your online application
Once your paperwork is ready, we submit your application through the chosen SSIP member’s online portal. This usually involves providing basic business information, uploading your documentation, and paying the assessment fee
4. Assessment review
A qualified assessor will review your application and documentation to see if you meet the SSIP core criteria.
Sometimes they’ll ask for a bit more information if anything’s missing or unclear. Some schemes offer fast-tracked services if you’re in a rush. I stay involved throughout this process, responding to feedback to keep things moving.
Once everything checks out, you’ll receive your SSIP certificate. Your business will also be listed on the SSIP portal, a central database used by clients to verify your accreditation.
FAQs
SSIP certification isn’t a one-and-done deal. You’ll need to renew annually to stay compliant with current regulations.
This involves reviewing and updating your safety management system, keeping training programs current, and maintaining detailed records.
Good record keeping is crucial – accident records need three-year preservation, while health surveillance reports require 40-year retention from the last entry.
If you already hold a valid SSIP certificate from one member (say CHAS), and you want to join another (like SafeContractor), you don’t have to redo the whole process.
Thanks to something called “Deem to Satisfy”, your existing SSIP can be accepted by other member schemes. This saves you time, money, and a lot of paperwork.
Getting SSIP certified opens up more contract opportunities, especially in construction and public sector work.
It also saves you time and money, as one certification can satisfy lots of different clients and shows clients you take health and safety seriously.
According to SSIP, over 80,000 suppliers are now listed on the SSIP Portal. That’s a clear sign that clients are expecting it.
It’s also good for your team and your peace of mind. When you’ve got proper risk assessments, training records, and policies in place, your employees are safer and you’re less likely to face costly accidents or legal problems.
Contact THS for help with your accreditation
I help businesses handle their Constructionline, CHAS, and Safecontractor accreditation applications from start to finish. I’ve supported many companies through this process with a 100% success rate.
I won’t leave you to figure it all out; I will work with you to review your current documents, prepare any missing paperwork, complete the questionnaires, and deal with any feedback from assessors.
I always work on a fixed-price basis with no hidden fees. Most applications I manage are ready to submit within five working days, and I stay involved right through to approval.
If you want to get started with your SSIP certification or you need help choosing the right scheme, feel free to call me at +44(0)20 8059 3633 or email me at info@traininhealthandsafety.com.
