A Beginner’s Guide to COP 119: What It Means for UK Security Labour Providers

Understanding COP 119 is crucial if you are a security labour supplier operating in the UK. But what is COP 119, and what is its significance to your company? To assist you in identifying how compliance will enhance your services, safeguard your employees, and gain the confidence of your customers, we will explain in the simplest of manners in this introductory guide.

What is COP 119? 

Code of Practice 119, or COP 119, is a UK standard that applies only to the firms supplying labour to the security and events sector. The purpose of this standard is to help security services provide quality services and operate within the bounds of the law in a contract-compliant manner. The code of practice assists organisations in showing that they demonstrate operational excellence in a given area, especially in the recruitment and employment of security personnel.

Thus, COP 119 outlines security labour providers duties and obligations and fosters trust in the services that employees and customers receive.

Why COP 119 Matters?

COP 119 is more than a 'tick the box' exercise. It opens the door to a safer, fairer, more respectful working environment for security personnel and clients alike. Here are a few reasons why COP 119 is important::

• Ensures Legal Compliance - COP 119 helps you fulfil UK legal requirements concerning wages, working hours, and right-to-work checks.
• Builds Client Confidence - Clients are more assured and more likely to trust your business when they see independent certification.
• Reduces Risk - The chances of experiencing a legal challenge and/or service failure are lowered with proper checks around licenses, background, and employment practices.

Key Requirements of COP 119

COP 119 is concerned with an area of knowledge which every security labour provider in the UK must possess:

1. SIA Licence Checks - It is a must that security personnel have valid licences. Providers need proper systems in place to verify and monitor this.
2. Security Screening to BS 7858 - Essential background checks ensure that staff are suitable and trustworthy for security-sensitive employment.
3. Working Time Regulations - Compliance ensures that employees are not overloaded with work, which, in turn, helps mitigate the danger of fatigue.
4. Payment of Wages - Payment of the minimum wage is a baseline requirement in the spirit of compliance.
5. Right to Work Verification - You must check that staff are not legally barred from working in the country to avoid serious legal repercussions.
6. Employment Status - Contracts and terms of employment safeguard both the employees and the company.

By meeting these requirements, companies are able to meet the expectations of the clients and auditors.

How to Get COP 119 Certified

While becoming COP 119 certified, an independent audit needs to be conducted to verify that your organisation meets the entirety of the code’s various requirements, including employment practices and validation of licences. Receiving certification not only demonstrates compliance but also demonstrates willingness to adopt the best practices for the particular field of security.

Tritact® Consulting Ltd aids businesses in the UK in preparing for the COP 119 audits by helping them prepare to meet all compliance needs. We assist with the preparation, guiding you through the certification process by providing the necessary expertise from staff audits to policy amendments, fully and confidently.

Benefits of COP 119 Compliance

Possible benefits include the following that come from achieving COP 119 compliance:

• Professional credibility has been established. It assures clients and partners that you can be relied upon.
• Employee/staff satisfaction is also boosted. It is easier to mobilise a workforce when there are supportive policies and satisfactory working conditions.
• Increased opportunities for business growth as well. Expansion of business activities or winning of contracts is easier for compliant businesses.
• Legal Risk is reduced as well. You can avoid legal penalties concerning wages, licences, and employment rights.

For UK security labour providers, COP 119 isn’t just another legal requirement - it is a hallmark of professionalism. Your enhanced reputation in the industry is complemented by the assurance of fair employee treatment, trust in the services rendered by clients, and a stable growth trajectory of the business.

If unsure of the way forward, explore all the benefits of working with Tritact® Consulting, and the journey of COP 119 compliance and certification will be made effortless. With the right framework, your business will boast elevated attainments, lower the incidence of adverse outcomes, and exemplify the best in the industry at security and events.