BattenProof

Questions

SSIP and accreditation

Do I need SSIP accreditation?

It isn't a legal requirement. But many main contractors, councils, housing associations and facilities companies won't put you on their approved list without it. If you're being asked for CHAS, SafeContractor or SMAS Worksafe, they're all SSIP schemes.

I'm already registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. Isn't that enough?

They're different things. Your competent person scheme registration covers your technical competence and lets you self-certify notifiable work under Part P. SSIP covers how you manage health and safety: your policy, risk assessments, RAMS, training records and so on. Main contractors often ask for both.

Which SSIP scheme should I pick?

Ask the client or main contractor who's asking. Many will name one. SSIP schemes recognise each other's certificates through a process called deem to satisfy, so with one SSIP certificate you can usually get another scheme's with a shorter process. Check costs with the scheme first.

Will BattenProof get me through my assessment?

We can't promise that, and nobody honest can. The scheme decides. What BattenProof gives you is the set of documents assessors ask for, filled in with your details, plus an evidence index showing which document covers each SSIP criterion and what's still missing. You still need to read and sign them, and answer the scheme's own questions.

What's a competent person, and do I need one?

Health and safety law says you need competent help to manage health and safety, and SSIP asks you to name that person. For a small electrical firm, that can be you, if you have suitable health and safety training (for example SSSTS, SMSTS or an IOSH or NEBOSH qualification) and knowledge of CDM 2015. If not, you can use an outside adviser. We list some independent ones. BattenProof can't be your competent person.

The documents

What do I get?

Your health and safety policy, risk assessments, RAMS, COSHH register, training and competence matrix, site inspection checklist, toolbox talk log, subcontractor questionnaire, and accident and enforcement record, plus the SSIP evidence index. All in Word and PDF.

Are the RAMS specific to electrical work?

Yes. For each job you tick the tasks you're doing, and the RAMS has a section for each one, covering the sequence of work, tools, PPE, isolation, notifications and a risk assessment. At launch, the tasks are:

The wording was written by an electrical engineer and is based on the Electricity at Work Regulations, HSE guidance (including HSG85 and GS38) and BS 7671.

Who wrote the wording?

The task and hazard wording was written and checked by an electrical engineer, not generated by AI. The AI features only help you pick the right tasks; they never write safety wording.

Can I change the documents?

Yes. You get Word files as well as PDFs, so you can edit anything. If something about your business changes, such as a new starter or a renewed ECS card, update your answers and download a fresh set.

I'm a sole trader. Does it work for me?

Yes. Choose "1 person (just me)" and the documents use one-person wording where it matters, for example in the consultation and subcontractor sections.

What about ECS and other cards?

Add each person's cards (ECS, CSCS, IPAF, PASMA and so on) with their expiry dates. They go into your training matrix, and with the compliance pass you get reminders before they run out. We store the card type and expiry date only, never the card number.

Do I still need to do anything on site?

Yes. Every RAMS needs checking against the actual site before work starts: who else is working there, access, the client's rules. There's a section for the supervisor to add anything specific to the site, and a sign-off sheet for the people you brief.

Buying and your account

How long does it take?

About 20 minutes of questions the first time. Have your team's card and training details to hand. Your documents are ready to download as soon as you finish. A new project RAMS takes a couple of minutes, because your details carry over.

How much is it?

A single RAMS is £15. The starter set (all the company documents) is £79, one-off. The compliance pass is £99 a year and adds unlimited project RAMS, regenerating whenever things change, and expiry reminders. We're not VAT registered, so that's the full price.

Can I cancel the pass?

Yes, at any time. It runs to the end of the year you've paid for and doesn't renew. We email you before it renews.

What happens to my data?

It's stored in the UK and only used to make your documents. You can download it or delete your account at any time. See our Privacy notice for the details.

Can I get a refund?

If you've paid but haven't generated anything, yes, within 14 days. If something we produce is wrong because of a fault on our side, we'll fix it or refund you. See our Terms.

Do you cover other trades?

The company documents work for drylining, plumbing, roofing and groundworks too. Task-by-task RAMS are live for electrical work first, with other trades following.