In an industry that relies so heavily on a skilled workforce to deliver projects safely and accurately, it is essential that those working on these projects are properly vetted to ensure that only the people with the right skills and experience are brought onboard. Read on to find out how important conducting thorough background checks really are for the construction industry.
Not only could there be catastrophic consequences should a health and safety incident occur, but should it transpire that insufficient background screening took place it could have a detrimental effect to your company’s reputation, and you could potentially incur substantial financial implications. By ensuring that all of your workers are properly screened minimises risks and can prevent serious accidents from occurring by contractors who are insufficiently qualified to carry out the work required of them.
For those looking to bid for government contracts, BPSS clearance is a mandatory requirement to begin working on these specialist projects, and a workforce without this level of screening would not be considered. BPSS clearance covers 4 main checks; A Basic DBS check (criminal record check), Identity verification, a Right to Work check and a 3-year employment history check. These background checks provide a substantial overview of the person’s background, and confirms if they posses all the relevant qualifications and certifications to undertake the job role. BPSS clearance is not required solely for compliance, but for the safeguarding of potential security risks, by carrying out the appropriate level of checks it ensures that individuals have the right to work in the UK, and are sufficiently qualified to the level required.
Depending on where the construction work is being carried out, different levels of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks may be required. For instance, should your workers be carrying out projects within an educational setting, and depending on the frequency in which your contractors will be within these environments, you may be required to put your workers through Enhanced DBS checks. This is due to the proximity of the work being carried out and the pupils in attendance at the institution. Enhanced DBS checks search for any unspent convictions and conditional cautions, as well as spent convictions and conditional cautions subject to filtering, additionally the check will cover relevant non-conviction information from the Police. In summary, it is important to understand the environment in which the project takes place so that the relevant checks can be conducted, and those within these environments are kept safe from any potential harm.
Although the two subjects wouldn’t always go hand in hand, conducting background checks for construction workers should be as important as having the correct tools for the job. Not only is it a risk having contractors on site who are unqualified to be there, but the risk it poses to the company’s reputation could be substantial.
Would you like to understand more about background checks, and what may be required for the type of work your contractors are carrying out? Our team can help guide you through the process, get in touch via hello@securescreeningservices.com or 01243 767868
