The SAFEcontractor programme enables companies to demonstrate to clients that they have outstanding health and safety policies and procedures in place. It is often used by major national businesses to appoint companies approved by the scheme.

To achieve SAFEcontractor accreditation, Selecta had to demonstrate its health and safety credentials by completing a series of internal audits and questionnaires. It also had to show that it carried out risk assessments and had first aid measures in place in the event of an accident in the workplace.

SAFEcontractor is operated by internetional safety, health and environmental risk management specialists the National Britannia Group. The system is applicable to most sectors and is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors.

James Ostler, managing director of information service at National Britannia, said: "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies. More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Selecta has done. The firm's high standards has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector."

"This is an excellent achievement and demostrates Selecta's ongoing commitment  to health and saftey," says Selecta sales and marketing director Jonathan Barr. "We are determined to minimise risks and encourage a culture where all our staff take a meticulous approach to achieve the highest possible standars of health and safety."