Vikki Stubbs, safety director, safety & wellbeing, Elior UK says: “Our application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business in terms of health and safety best practice. At Elior it’s the whole experience that matters and we’re committed to delivering a consistently high standard of service at all of our 650 sites.”

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.

John Kinge, head of risk at SAFEcontractor says: “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 Elior 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 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 via SAFEcontractor’s website www.safecontractor.com

Employer-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 employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have achieved accreditation.

Over 160 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.