BMF launches Safety Plus

The Builders Merchants Federation has joined up with Southall Associates Ltd to offer builders merchants a Health & Safety business support service specifically for builders merchants.
The new Safety Plus service comprises two key elements:

· A bespoke consultancy service, which includes an initial assessment, tailored H&S policy documents, risk assessments and staff handbooks, a 6-monthly safety audit, plus ongoing advice and support.

· An online safety management system, which banishes mountains of paperwork and enables merchants to easily and quickly manage H&S at every branch

BMF managing director, John Newcomb said: “The introduction of Safety Plus is the start of an ongoing drive by the BMF to review the business services we currently offer and to bring new services to members. It goes without saying that we are seeking out the very best services available and we are delighted to be working with Southall Associates.”

Southall Associates was founded in 2004 by John Southall, a former Environmental Health officer, who realised that builders merchants were one of the top three business types to fall foul of H&S law.

The system has been adopted by over 100 builders merchants. The consultancy element ensures that the service is fully tailored for every business, while the on-line system, Safety Cloud, delivers a full audit trail and enables the CEO or business owner to delegate responsibility. The on-line system is not only a store for all H&S documentation and statutory records, it provides access to e-learning training and even sends email reminders when tasks are due.

Lawsons is one of the merchants to have signed up to the scheme and managing director Joe Inzani says that the online element was a major attraction. “The online system was a major factor in our recent review of Health & Safety advisers and is perfectly tailored towards our business. Our branch managers have found it simple and easy to use,” he says.

“They particularly like the way the system generates email reminders for maintenance jobs and staff training, which is proving to be invaluable.”

Newcomb added: “The BMF will continue to support members using our existing SafetyFirst service. However, they will also have the opportunity to transfer to Safety Plus at the end of their current agreement should they wish.”