When appointing a construction contractor, one of the biggest risks for clients is health and safety compliance. Poor standards don’t just put people at risk - they can lead to project delays, legal action, reputational damage, and increased costs. SSIP accreditation changes that. It gives clients confidence that a company takes safety seriously and embeds it into everything they do.

What is SSIP
SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. It’s not a single certification you apply for - it’s an umbrella framework that sets nationally recognised standards for health and safety across the UK construction industry.

Founded in May 2009 with the support of the Health and Safety Executive, SSIP brings together multiple member schemes to provide a consistent, trusted way to assess safety competence.

Construction professionals earn SSIP recognition through an SSIP member scheme. We’re accredited by CHAS, ConstructionLine, and Salus – independent schemes that verify a company’s health and safety systems. There are many other member schemes across the UK, including SMAS, Achilles, Altius, CQMS Safety-Scheme, Avetta, EXOR, and NASP.

All SSIP schemes assess against the same Core Criteria, meaning clients can rely on a consistent, high standard of safety competence across all accredited companies. For more details, visit SSIP.org.uk

Why we Hold Multiple SSIP Accreditations
Different sectors and clients often have preferred SSIP schemes built into their procurement processes. Holding multiple memberships removes barriers, speeds up onboarding, and makes it easier for clients to appoint us without delays. This ensures that:

• Clients can appoint us quickly and confidently
• Their procurement teams don’t need to chase additional paperwork
• Health and safety assurance is immediate, clear, and independently verified

Most importantly, it demonstrates that our health and safety systems are robust, consistent, and actively maintained, not just for a single assessment but for every project we deliver.

What Does SSIP Accreditation Actually Assess?
SSIP accreditation proves that we take health and safety seriously on every project. It shows we have a clear plan to protect people, identify risks, and implement safe working procedures. It also demonstrates that our employees are properly trained, supervised, and competent, that incidents are recorded, investigated, and learned from, and that our safety systems are regularly checked and continuously improved in line with all relevant legislation.

Companies accredited with SSIP are also certified for specific industry roles and category-related activities, so if you’re appointing a Principal Contractor, it’s worth confirming that the organisation has been assessed for that role. This ensures that projects are run safely, responsibly, and efficiently, giving you confidence that every aspect of health and safety is actively managed and embedded into daily operations.

Why It Matters to You
Working with an SSIP-accredited construction professional reduces risk, saves time, and shows due diligence. It ensures projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and to the highest standards. Our clients also benefit from faster onboarding, fewer safety-related delays, and peace of mind, knowing that we are independently verified.

Final Thought
SSIP accreditation isn’t just a box to tick, it proves we live and breathe health and safety. It shows that safety is built into every decision, every process, and every project, creating construction work that is not only safer but more reliable and efficient. For clients, appointing an SSIP-accredited construction professional is more than a choice, it’s assurance. It provides peace of mind that people, projects, and reputations are protected, and that safety is consistently prioritised at every level of the organisation.

If you’re looking for a construction partner who prioritises safety and delivers reliable results, contact us today to discuss your project and see how our SSIP-accredited team can help.

About NKS Contracts Ltd