Over time, it has evolved to incorporate best practices and adapt to technological advancements, to remain relevant in maintaining industry excellence.
The standards focus on several key areas for certification:
NHSS 17/17b certification demonstrates that your organisation’s road vehicle recovery and removal practices meet the NHSS 17 and 17b schemes. It assures clients, partners and regulators of your commitment to safety and quality in service delivery.
Certification focuses specifically on your safety and quality management practices. An independent body evaluates your processes and procedures, and if they align with NHSS 17 and 17b schemes, you will receive a certificate that requires periodic renewal to remain compliant.
Certification builds trust with clients and stakeholders, fulfils contract requirements, and provides a competitive advantage by demonstrating your commitment to safety and excellence.
NHSS 17/17b was established to create a unified scheme for safety and quality within the road vehicle recovery and removal industry.
Prior to its creation, practices across different organisations were inconsistent, leading to varied safety and quality outcomes. By standardising these practices, NHSS 17 and 17b support participating companies in adhering to a high level of operational excellence.
This helps to improve both safety for workers and the public and the efficiency of vehicle recovery operations.
NHSS 17/17b certification offers significant benefits to both roadwork companies and their clients.
Companies gain clear guidelines and a framework for maintaining high safety and quality standards, which can lead to increased efficiency and reduced risks.
Clients, such as government bodies and private developers, benefit from the assurance that roadwork projects will meet consistent, high-quality standards, leading to safer, more reliable infrastructure.
Overall, certification fosters trust and confidence between service providers and their clients.
NHSS 17/17b complements ISO 9001 by providing industry-specific guidelines that are tailored to road vehicle recovery and removal quality management.
While ISO 9001 offers a general framework for Quality Management Systems (QMS) applicable across various industries, NHSS 17/17b focuses specifically on the unique challenges and requirements of the vehicle recovery sector.
By aligning NHSS 17/17b with ISO 9001, organisations can establish Quality Management Systems that meet general standards and address specific industry needs.
NHSS 17/17b addresses several key challenges in the road vehicle recovery and removal industry, including the need for consistent safety protocols and quality assurance.
The industry often deals with high-risk environments (busy controlled roads and highway construction sites), and inconsistencies in practices can lead to safety hazards and subpar quality services. By establishing a standard, NHSS 17/17b helps organisations maintain uniformity in safety measures, supporting compliance with industry regulations and improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of recovery operations.
This consistency is crucial for building trust with clients and maintaining the safety of workers and the public.
NHSS 17/17b was developed by industry experts and stakeholders, including representatives from the highways industry.
These contributors brought together their expertise to address the specific needs and challenges faced by the sector, so the standard would be both practical and effective.
The collaborative development process aimed to create a comprehensive framework that would enhance safety and quality across the industry, aligning with broader strategic goals such as improved infrastructure reliability and public safety.
The NHSS scheme is currently administered by the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR).
NHSS 17/17b is periodically reviewed and updated to incorporate the latest best practices and technological advancements in the road vehicle recovery and removal industry.
This ongoing review process means that the standard remains relevant and effective in addressing current and emerging safety and operational challenges.
Updates are driven by input from industry experts, technological innovations, and changes in regulatory requirements, so that NHSS 17/17b continues to provide a robust framework for safety and quality management in the sector.
NHSS 17/17b is primarily recognised as a UK standard and the standard itself is not formally recognised or required internationally.
While the standard itself is specifically designed for the UK, its principles of high safety and quality can serve as an inspiration for similar practices in other countries. Organisations outside the UK might choose to adopt the principles of NHSS 17/17b to enhance their safety and quality practices.
