Highway Sector Schemes

A Highway Sector Scheme is the ISO 9001:2000 interpretive document produced, written and maintained by a committee comprising key representatives from interested groups including users of the scheme, local councils, trade associations and certification bodies, overseen by the Highways Agency.  Such schemes are UKAS accredited, requiring that certification bodies demonstrate that they comply with the scheme including the requirement for competency of assessors.

Typical characteristics of a scheme document are a clause by clause interpretation of ISO9001:2000 including detailed training and competency requirements for contractors and operatives and specific quality plan requirements.

The compliance and registration to the schemes are generally mandatory for the contractors carrying out Highway Agency work and are considered as good practice for all other highways works e.g. for local authorities.

Who is it relevant to?

Technical progress, social change and the rising wealth of society has seen an increase in popularity of road transport.  This, in turn, has highlighted the need to ensure that roads are safe for the travelling public and road workers alike with pressure on contractors coming from a number of sources:

Governments/Regulators: Concerns about poor standards and inconsistency in quality and competence have led to the Highways Agency stipulating mandatory requirements in highways works specifications for contractors to implement and comply with the Schemes.

Competence: Employers have a duty under the management of health and safety at work regulations to demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to employ a competent work force.

Trade Associations: Some trade associations are requiring or mandating the adoption of the schemes for membership.  Others promote them heavily as industry best practice.

Supply Chain:  There is pressure from contractors using subcontractors to meet their own obligations.

Risk: Reducing the probability of personal injury to the travelling public from product failure.

Financial: Through minimisation of the risk of financial penalties from product failure or incorrect installation.
 
So National Highway Schemes are relevant to:

• Main contractors who work on the motorway and trunk road network
• Any contractors working on or beside roads
• Manufacturers,installers and repairers of scheme products
• Highway designers and consultants
• Local authorities 
• Subcontractors 
• Industrial, commercial and private developers 
• Rail and inland waterways contractors

Some of our existing clients include Balmer Lindley; Hanson Construction Projects; Lafarge Aggregates, Tarmac, Flintshire County Council, CU Phrosco Lighting, Chevron Traffic Management and HW Martin Safety Fencing.

Benefits of implementing a Quality Management System incorporating the National Highway Sector Scheme requirements relate to both Clients and Contractors.

Benefits to Contractor are:

• All the benefits of ISO 9001:2000 plus:
• It ensures you meet the contractual requirements of the relevant sector scheme(s)
• Improved legislative compliance
• Better management of operational risks
• Meets many of the requirements under other management standards such as Health and Safety
• Advantage over non registered competitors
• Expansion of potential market i.e. from non-national network to national road network 
• Entry onto the Lantra Schedule of Suppliers - the only comprehensive register of
• independently approved contractors and subcontractors
• Meets requirements of trade association membership
  

Benefits to clients are:

• Independent assurance that contractors consistently meet industry approved requirements for quality of operation
• Ensures contractors employees are fully competent

There are currently 24 schemes in operation or development that can be broadly separated into four groups:

• Fencing, landscaping and vehicle safety restraints – covered by schemes 2A, 2B, 2C, 3, 4, 5A, 5B and  18
• Road surfacing and marking – covered schemes 13A, 13B, 14, 15 and 16
• Lighting and electrics, and corrosion protection –  covered by schemes 6, 7, 8, 9A, 9B, 10 and 19
• Traffic Management – covered by schemes 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D & 17
  

For a full list of operational schemes and to download the scheme documents visit the UKAS website.

Go to www.ukas.com to download a scheme document and scroll down to the section entitled ‘Sector Schemes for Quality Management in Highway Works.’

Other useful links

For more information on the Highways Sector Schemes visit the Highways Agency National Highways Sector Schemes website.

Lantra Awards maintains a schedule of suppliers for the National Highways Sector Schemes, details of which can be accessed from their website at www.scheduleofsuppliers.com

NHSS Quality Management System certification

Registration to ISO 9001 takes place when an accredited 3rd party such as BSI Management Systems visits an organization, assesses the management system and issues a certificate to show that the organization abides by the principles and requirements set out in ISO 9001:2000, and other Scheme requirements such as the National Highway Sector Schemes.

Your Quality Management Systems' certificate is a sign of acceptability which saves you from having to prove your quality standards to discriminating customers.

There are key steps that every company implementing a QMS with the Highway Sector Scheme requirements will need to consider:

1. Contact BSI

On your route to registration, help is a simple phone call away. Call BSI Management Systems. We will consider your business requirements, then arrange the services that best suit your needs. After assessing your needs we will give you a formal quotation so that you know how much your registration will cost. Your quotation will be based upon your company profile and an assessment of your needs. Along with a formal quotation, you will receive an application form.

2. Submit your application

On return of your application form and registration fee, we will assign you to a Lead Assessor. The Lead Assessor will be your principal contact throughout the registration process and beyond. They will have knowledge concerning the nature of your business, the local business environment and will offer support while you develop your systems.

3. Check documentation with Lead Assessor

Together, you and your Lead Assessor will review your documentation. This will ensure that all documented procedures cover the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 (in accordance with the Highways Sector Scheme).

4. Determine date of assessment

Together with your Lead Assessor you will determine the best timetable for your registration and agree on a date for initial assessment. Many organizations benefit from our pre-assessment "dry run" of the formal assessment.

5. Initial Assessment conducted

The formal assessment will be conducted by your Lead Assessor. You will be informed of his recommendation before your Lead Assessor leaves your premises.

6. Registration/ Verification Registration confirmed

Following your Lead Assessor's recommendation, your registration will be formally confirmed by BSI's Technical and Certification Services.

7. Certificate issued

Your BSI registered certificate will arrive soon after your registration has been confirmed.

8. Continual Assessment

After registration your Lead Assessor will visit your organization at regular intervals each year to facilitate improvement and ensure that you continue to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 (incorporating the relevant Scheme requirements).