Bradford-based Thorite, the UK distributor of pneumatic products and process systems, recently received repeat accreditation from safecontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety management amongst UK contractors and which Thorite first gained in 2007. 

Employing over 100 people, Thorite is principally involved in the fluid power sector, specialising in the engineering, manufacturing, food processing, printing and pharmaceuticals industries, with a £12 million turnover. Thorite's most recent clients have included major players such as Shell, EDF Energy and Northumbrian water. 

The company's application for safecontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business. Speaking about the award Ross Gowler, Thorite's Marketing and Engineering Services Director said: "It is crucial for companies installing mechanical products and systems in industry to operate within stringent levels of health & safety procedures, for the benefit of their own staff, those employed by their clients - and the public at large. I'm extremely proud that our standards of safe working have once again been demonstrated to be of the highest order". 

safecontractor accreditation will 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. The accreditation is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contracted services. 

John Kinge, technical director of safecontractor said: "Major organisations simply cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies in place. More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Thorite has done. The firm's high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector. Safecontractor plays a vital role in supporting our clients in meeting their compliance needs, whilst working with their contractors as they progress through the accreditation process." 

Under the safecontractor scheme, 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. Client-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 clients agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.( 

Over one hundred and seventy 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.