Durham Pumps is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record.

The Durham based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors.

Employing five people, Durham Pumps is principally involved in the supply and repair of industrial pumps and associated equipment. Specializing in the Chemical, Paint, HVAC and Wastewaster Industries.

The company’s application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.

Mark Jones, Managing Director of Durham Pumps said ” Health & Safety has always formed an integral part of the work we undertake. SAFEcontractor’s accreditation confirms our procedures and methods conform to and exceed industry standards”

SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

SAFEcontractor is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property and facilities management 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 Durham Pumps has done. The firms high standards 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.

Those companies meeting the high 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, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.

Over one hundred and fifty 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.