A WHARFE Valley company that has carried out nearly 50,000 home safety checks and call-outs since launching just five years ago has secured one of its industry’s top accolades for the first time.

Ignite Gas Care, which is based in Rawdon, was awarded SafeContractor status for achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace.

It follows in the footsteps of many FTSE 100 companies and household names to have passed the rigorous standards required to gain the independent accreditation, which is awarded by Alcumus.

On the back of increased demand for its services, the firm has swelled its annual turnover year-on-year to £1.2m, moved from Horsforth to a bigger headquarters in Rawdon, and now employs 18 people.

It specialises in working with the private rental sector, helping letting agents and landlords ensure their tenants are protected from potential hazards in their homes.

In response to tough new safety legislation, it has broadened its core gas and electrical testing services to include specialist checks for the Legionella bacteria and the mandatory installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“We are delighted to have achieved the SafeContractor accreditation, which underlines our commitment to ensuring the safest working environment for our workforce and customers alike,” said Ignite’s managing director, Jon Oldroyd.

“The growing demand for our services makes it more important than ever to demonstrate safety best practice across all strands of our operations.

“As well as providing the ultimate peace of mind for our growing client base of landlords and letting agents, we hope it will add an extra dimension to our ability to secure new contracts and grow the business further.

Since launching, Ignite’s growing team of experts have carried out more than 17,000 gas safety checks, 7,500 gas appliance services, 5,000 boiler repairs, 3,000 Legionella risk assessments and 3,000 PAT electrical tests – as well as attending 10,000 call-outs.

Gemma Archibald, Director of Alcumus SafeContractor, said: "Organisations simply cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies in place.

"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Ignitehas done.

“The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector.”