Local companies learn lessons in safer working

Sarfraz Arfan (centre) with staff from the successful companies

A project to enable local companies to meet their health and safety obligations has produced its first nine ‘graduates' in Rochdale.

After five month’s intensive work with each company to review and update health and safety management systems, nine businesses now have full Contractors’ Heath amp; Safety (CHAS) Accreditation. They are:

• AA Arnold Electrical Contractors
• ER Williams
• Celltek Communication
• Carter Origin
• PLP Construction
• Reebitex Fabrics
• Retail Flooring Solutions
• Trains (Rochdale) Ltd.
• AME Services

The scheme has been organised through J21, the Oldham and Rochdale local labour in construction initiative.

PLP Construction was one of the local firms that benefited from the initiative. Joanne James from PLP said: "The CHAS project helped us to overhaul how we manage health amp; safety and improve it by setting up procedures that ensure our sites and business run more efficiently. As CHAS is also a highly recognised accreditation it gives our clients more confidence in the service we are providing them and it also helps us when we are tendering for work from potential clients.”

Sarfraz Arfan, J21 Manager, added: “The initiative has demonstrated the need for bespoke, sector-driven solutions that deliver lasting benefits. All of the businesses spent considerable time and effort reviewing and improving their systems, to comply with CHAS.”

Following the success of the pilot, J21 is hoping to rollout the scheme to potential local subcontractors across the boroughs of Oldham and Rochdale, with support from the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder. J21 is keen to hear from any local construction business that is interested in securing CHAS or needs assistance with workforce recruitment.

Contact Sarfraz Arfan on 01706 646471.