RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

March 25, 2004
RoSPA BACKS NEW PASSPORT TO SAFETY

RoSPA today announced its support for a new safety passport scheme for staff employed by organisations which are members of SAFed (the Safety Assessment Federation).

The initiative launched at RoSPA’s Birmingham headquarters involves a partnership between the Society and SAFed, which represents companies that have a special role in inspecting safety-sensitive plant and installations.

SAFed member companies employ safety professionals that have specialist expertise in mechanical lifting and handling equipment, power presses, pressure equipment, local exhaust ventilation, electrical equipment and systems, welding and non-destructive testing. They travel around the UK making regular visits to a wide range of businesses and organisations.

The scheme, which involves the issuing of a passport to give access to clients’ sites, is designed to avoid staff in SAFed member organisations having to undergo repeat health and safety induction sessions every time they make a visit.

RoSPA is partnering SAFed in auditing its participating member companies to assess the integrity and performance of management arrangements and their overall compliance with the scheme.

Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser said: “In recent years there has been a growth in ‘passporting’. In October last year we welcomed the publication by HSE of its new free leaflet on passport schemes and the setting up of the Safety Passport Forum.

“This scheme is tremendously important because of its scope and high quality. SAFed recognises that its clients need evidence that employees of member companies have an appropriate level of underpinning knowledge, skills and experience in which all parties can have real confidence.

“RoSPA is pleased to be associated with this initiative. We hope it will add to the general fund of knowledge about these schemes and be of benefit to the Passport Forum, which is being facilitated by HSE.”