SG Systems Limited (Shopguard) has joined a scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record. The firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises standards of health and safety among UK contractors. SG Systems Ltd is mainly involved in the manufacturing and supply of anti-theft products.
Specialising in the Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), CCTV design and customer activity data marketing industries, SG System’s most recent clients have included John Lewis Partnership, Mothercare and Early Learning Centre Group. The company says that its application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.
Managing Director for SG Systems UK Ltd, Symon Millward, said: “We are delighted to be accredited with SAFEcontractor as this is extremely important to SG Systems that we maintain our high health and safety standards. This accreditation supports our position as a leading and professional provider in the anti-theft sector and we are proud that we can provide and further enhance safe and secure environment assurances to 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 contract services.
John Kinge, Head of Risk at SAFEcontractor 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 SG Systems Ltd 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 system, businesses undergo vetting, which examines health and safety procedures and their record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com
Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, enabling them to vet potential contractors before they set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.
Over 150 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.
