The SME Assistance Trophy
It is widely acknowledged that small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) need help and support to enable them to manage health and safety successfully. This RoSPA SME Assistance Trophy, sponsored by BHSF Ltd, recognises the most outstanding contribution made by a trade association or similar body to providing health and safety assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As part of its annual awards programme RoSPA is inviting businesses, trade associations and other bodies as well as individual businesses to nominate potential recipients of the award.
Last year the trophy was awarded to the British Constructional Steelwork Association.
How the award will be judged
Nominations, including any 'self-nominations', will initially be reviewed using a scoring matrix to produce a long list of possible recipients of the award. Criteria include:
- Evidence and needs led services
- Developed with input from SMEs
- Addressing priority issues
- Working in partnership
- Using novel methods of intervention and influence
- Sensitive to SME needs
- Evaluating impact and effectiveness
- Capable of replication
- Sustainability.
The SME Assistance Trophy judging panel - a sub-committee of the overall RoSPA Awards Panel - will then shortlist the three best candidates, which will subsequently be interviewed by an H&S professional appointed by RoSPA.
The trophy winner will be selected based on corroborated information from the initial nomination, together with the interview findings.
The award comprises:
- The SME Assistance Trophy, to be held for one year
- A commemorative plaque to keep permanently
- Entitlement to use the award logo on organisation literature/website and to fly the RoSPA Awards flag
- A RoSPA benefits package designed to enhance H&S work with SMEs.
Providing advice and assistance to small firms
The judges will look for the winning organisation to demonstrate outstanding work to provide advice and assistance to small firms. Examples of such work include:
Awareness raising and information provision
- H&S web area with news, good practice case studies, info and guidance, FAQs, useful links etc.
- Publishing periodic H&S E-bulletins and alerts
- Placing regular articles or supplements on H&S in existing trade association publications
- Running specific campaigns on priority topics
- Securing H&S 'champions slots' in existing sector events
Policy development
- Establishing sector-based joint committees or forums to agree priorities, targets, campaigns etc.
- Developing consensus sector-based guidance, videos and other resources
- Facilitating member response to policy consultations
- Representing the sector in H&S policy dialogue with regulators and other stakeholders
- Lobbying political representatives on specific health and safety policy issues
Performance improvement and recognition
- Promotion of compliance or capability schemes (sector-based or general like OHSAS 18001)
- Development of awards schemes (including facilitating entry to existing schemes)
- Facilitation of performance benchmarking
- Developing pre-qualification schemes
- Developing H&S passporting.
Services and benefits
- Securing preferential ELCI premiums from insurers and brokers
- Providing consultancy advice direct to members or via a service-based membership partnership with an existing health and safety organisation
- Establishing a H&S helpline
- Helping with Occupational Health issues.
Competence development
Setting association policy to achieve demonstrable workforce competence within defined time
- Organising seminars, conferences or other events on key issues and developments
- Organising or securing access to tailored training programmes
- Running competence registration and/or CPD schemes.
Other
- Commissioning research into sector H&S issues.
Trade associations and similar bodies which go the 'extra mile' to help SMEs not only save lives, reduce injuries and prevent ill health, they also help to show that 'good health and safety is good business' and provide practical examples of what other similar bodies might do might do to help small firms to achieve these goals.
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