Health and Safety Blog, Uncategorised

SMAS Accreditation: A Quick Guide for Small Businesses

Posted on by Ian Harris
20
Feb

Getting SMAS accredited can feel daunting, especially for small businesses. But it doesn’t have to be! This guide breaks down the quickest way for companies with fewer than five employees to achieve SMAS accreditation. While some requirements remain constant regardless of company size, there are a few areas where small businesses can streamline the process.

Key Areas for Small Businesses:

  • Monitoring, Audit, and Review (Section 2): This section often requires site inspections and audit checklists. However, if your company exclusively works for large principal contractors who regularly monitor your work, you can simply tick the box stating this and avoid these additional steps.
  • Consultation and Communication (Section 14): For businesses with under five employees, communication is often informal and not recorded. You can indicate this with the provided tick box, eliminating the need to upload toolbox talks or meeting minutes.

Essential Requirements (Regardless of Company Size):

While small businesses can simplify certain sections, these core requirements remain essential:

  • Health and Safety Policy: A documented health and safety policy is crucial for all businesses.
  • Competent Advice: You’ll need to demonstrate access to competent health and safety advice.
  • Method Statements and Risk Assessments (Sections 5 & 6): These are fundamental for outlining safe working practices and identifying potential hazards.
  • Health and Safety Training Information: Details of employee training are necessary.
  • Qualifications: Relevant qualifications should be included.
  • Asbestos Arrangements: Information on how you manage asbestos risks is required.

Streamlining the Process:

Although the core documentation remains necessary, small businesses can often submit less detailed information than larger companies. The key is to ensure your submissions are clear, concise, and demonstrate your commitment to health and safety.

In Summary:

SMAS accreditation is achievable for small businesses. By understanding which sections can be simplified and focusing on the essential requirements, you can streamline the application process and demonstrate your dedication to health and safety.

Ian Harris

MEng, CertIOSH. Health and Safety Consultant and Director at CTC South West Limited for 20 years. Click here to find out more.