Auditors praised VGC’s processes in the annual Achilles Building Confidence audit.
We demonstrate compliance and improvement against the UK construction industry’s accreditation and registration standard through regular audits.
Since 2011 the Building Confidence audits by Achilles have noted areas where we lead best practice. Elements where VGC demonstrates leadership within the field have repeatedly included safety, and equality and diversity. The 2018 audit was no exception, with five ‘positive elements’:
- Communication
- HSQE – the monthly reporting dashboard was described as “very detailed and significantly exceeded expectations”
- occupational health – our provisions for monitoring workforce occupational health are “very proactive and effective”
- equality and diversity
- environmental
“It is especially pleasing to hear we demonstrate a high level of commitment to equality and diversity within the workplace,” said Swati Patel, CSR manager. “The audit report noted our work to avoid bias in recruitment, including unconscious bias training delivered by partner Diversity Hut. It also acknowledged our work on fairness, inclusion and respect (FIR), including our ambassadors and the training we deliver to all members of the workforce.” In addition, the auditor noted Ciara Pryce’s nomination as one of the 100 top influencers against modern slavery.
The report particularly commended VGC for diverting 99.7% of waste from landfill. VGC is committed to sound energy management and has adopted ISO 50001. Regular communications and briefings, and monitoring dashboards and reviews were also noted.
Confirming sound business management
John Hannan, HSQE director, said: “The Achilles Building Confidence audit and our other accreditations reassure clients and staff that we continue to do things right. Thank you to all our staff for their continual drive to improve what we do, and to Chantal Austin and the rest of the HSQE team for all their hard work in providing the evidence required for this rigorous audit.”
The Achilles Building Confidence audit and pre-qualification accreditation checked VGC’s financial, health, safety, quality, operational, environmental and sustainability, social and ethical and occupational health competencies and capabilities, and confirmed that VGC has a compliant and auditable business management system.
The final report will be placed on the online Achilles Building Confidence Portal.
The Achilles Building Confidence scheme is recognised as the standard for supplier excellence within the industry, used by main contractors such as Balfour Beatty, Costain, Kier Group, Mace, Sir Robert McAlpine, and Skanska.
Main photograph: HSQE adviser Chantal Austin with auditor Jason McKeon
