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Changes in the ACC Certification Programmes

Tuesday October 4, 2016 11:57

For many years, a large number of Securo’s clients have participated, in either the ACC WSD or ACC WSMP certification programmes.

ACC has recently announced changes to the future of these programmes.  The key changes are:

  • Both programmes will cease on 1st April 2017
  • ACC are recommending that all organisations wishing to be audited prior to the 1st of April 2017, should submit their application for audit by the 31st of October 2016 (i.e. this month)
  • Following the receipt of your application, your organisation will be re-audited sometime before the 1st April 2017
  • The applicable ACC Workplace Levy discounts for your certification will continue until no later than 30th June 2019.

If you wish to (a) be re-audited, and (b) continue to benefit from the reduced ACC Workplace Levies, we strongly recommend you submit your application to ACC prior to the end of this month.

So what of the future?  It is as yet unclear what ACC will replace these programmes with.  We are aware that ACC have put some effort into developing a “Star Rating” system as a replacement for WSMP.  We understand that this has been trialled in some organisations and that the results were inconclusive. 

There is also an indication that a new scheme based around “Experience Rating (ER)” is being actively investigated.

Experience Rating is not an entirely new concept and we are aware that work is being put into developing this further.  Under an ER programme, future ACC Levy discounts will be performance based, rather than focused on compliance with standards. Businesses which can drive changes, which result in their workers being safer and having fewer injuries, will be recognised in the levies charged by ACC.

We do wonder if the implementation of an ER programme, could also result in businesses with poor safety records being liable for increased ACC levies. 

 Be assured Securo will keep you informed of any updates we receive.

Once again, for those organisations wishing to be audited by ACC prior to 1st of April 2017, we recommend completing the ACC application this month.  The application forms are available on the ACC website.