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If you run a contracting business in the UK, you may have heard clients ask for CHAS certification before allowing you to work on a project. This is common in construction and other industries where health and safety, contractor checks and supplier compliance are important.
But what does CHAS certification actually mean? Who needs it, what documents are required, and how can you prepare your business for an assessment?
CHAS is a recognised contractor assessment scheme that helps businesses demonstrate their approach to health and safety and other compliance requirements. For contractors and subcontractors, having a suitable CHAS assessment can help meet client requirements and support the application process.
In this guide, we explain how CHAS works, what businesses should prepare and how to decide whether it is right for your company.
CHAS is an acronym for the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. It is a contractor assessment scheme from the United Kingdom that enables businesses to demonstrate compliance with the necessary health and safety requirements.
CHAS conducts assessments based on the information businesses provide on their health and safety policies and procedures. The particulars of the assessments and membership packages depend on the client’s requirements.
Some businesses use CHAS to show their clients, contractors and procurement teams that they are working with health and safety compliant businesses.
While a CHAS assessment is not a legal requirement for contractors, a client may insist that contractors go through a CHAS or similar assessment for health and safety before engaging their services.
You can find further information on the official CHAS website.
CHAS stands for Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme.
The scheme helps clients assess contractors' health and safety arrangements before appointing them for work. It can also help contractors prepare and organise the information needed to demonstrate compliance.
For example, a construction company may need to show that it has suitable health and safety policies, trained workers, relevant risk assessments and appropriate procedures for managing workplace risks.
A CHAS assessment can help provide evidence of these arrangements, depending on the assessment standard and scope.
Many businesses want to work with contractors who can show that they take health and safety seriously. A recognised assessment can help provide evidence that a contractor has considered the relevant risks and put suitable arrangements in place.
Here are some reasons why businesses consider CHAS.
Some clients ask contractors to hold a CHAS assessment or similar before they are accepted onto their approved supplier list or progress through their tender process.
If a client has a specific requirement, check which assessment scheme and level they accept before applying.
Contractors may be required to provide information on health and safety when bidding for construction or maintenance contracts, or for facilities management or other commercial contracts.
If a contractor has the correct assessment and supporting documents, this provides the contractor with an advantage over those who don't. Keep in mind that having a CHAS assessment does not ensure a business wins a contract.
Undergoing an assessment gives businesses an opportunity to review and amend their health and safety policy and procedures if required.
This can help identify areas of risk and management that are incomplete or missing.
CHAS is a part of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP). Under SSIP’s Deemed to Satisfy process, a health and safety assessment may be recognised and accepted by a different SSIP scheme member if the requirements are met.
This can help reduce duplicate work for clients requesting a different SSIP scheme. Check with the client if the client and scheme will accept your existing assessment.
You can read more in the official SSIP guidance.
CHAS may be suitable for your business if you need to provide evidence of health and safety compliance to your clients.
This includes:
CHAS offers different assessment options for different work categories. The option that is right for your organisation is dependent on the type of work your business does and the expectations of your potential clients.
For example, a small maintenance company may be approached to produce its health and safety arrangements before it can work on a commercial property. On the other hand, a subcontractor may need an accepted assessment before it can work for a principal contractor.
In each of these cases, it is important that the requirements of the client are first established before making any assumptions on the type of CHAS assessment required.
The CHAS Assessor will decide what documents are needed based on your business activities, the workforce, the risks involved and the standard of assessment required.
Potential clients can review the following before submission.
If your business is required to have a health and safety policy, you must provide this in your submission. This should define how you manage health and safety in your business and who is responsible for putting the policy and related arrangements into practice.
You should provide method statements and related risk assessments in your submission. These should be linked to the work activities you are carrying out.
Evidence of appropriate staff training, qualifications, and experience should be provided where relevant.
Records of training and other qualifications should be retained to support the staff roles.
The required business insurance should be provided where relevant. Check the required cover and limits as these may vary according to the work and the client.
If your business uses work equipment, keep records of inspection and maintenance and safety requirements.
Your business may also be required to submit evidence of arrangements for accidents, dangerous substances and other related risks.
The above list is an example only. Use your current assessment requirements to confirm what is needed.
Working through your applications at your own pace gives you an opportunity to evaluate documents to see if anything else can be submitted.
Figure out what assessment or membership level your client accepts. Different businesses may require different levels of assessment for contractors.
Go over the assessment levels available at CHAS and decide on the right level for your business, keeping in mind your health and safety policy, risk assessments, training, and insurance.
Check your health and safety policy, risk assessments, training, insurance, and other documents. Are the documents current? Are they adequate for your business?
Provide the information required and answer assessment questions as fully as possible.
If you have supporting documents, provide them.
Assessors may contact you for more information or evidence to clarify your answers to questions.
Related documents should be provided.
What does approval mean? How long do you have approval? Is there anything else you need to do? What evidence do you need to provide?
Remember that CHAS membership expiry and assessment compliance expiry can be different dates. The official CHAS guidance explains this distinction in its frequently asked questions.
The cost of CHAS certification depends on the assessment or membership package, the size and nature of your business, and any additional services you choose.
You should also distinguish between the official scheme fees and the cost of getting professional help to prepare your application.
Before budgeting, consider:
Check the latest prices directly with CHAS because fees and packages can change.
If you use an independent consultant, ask for a clear breakdown of their fees and the work included. Consultancy support does not replace the official assessment or guarantee approval.
The time needed to complete a CHAS assessment depends on the assessment route, the completeness of your application and whether further information is required.
Businesses that have their documents ready may find the process easier than those that need to prepare policies and records from the beginning.
To help avoid delays:
Always check the current processing information with CHAS rather than relying on a fixed timeline from an old article or an unofficial source.
CHAS is a health and safety assessment scheme. SSIP is a partnership scheme involving a number of health and safety assessment schemes. Under SSIP, participating schemes agree to mutually recognise assessments undertaken by other participating schemes.
This information is relevant when a client requests a particular accreditation.
If your business already holds a valid SSIP assessment, you may be able to use the Deemed to Satisfy process to gain recognition by another participating scheme.
However, this will be subject to the requirements of the client and the applicable rules. A new assessment may still be required for aspects that fall outside the scope of the existing recognition.
Read SSIP’s guidance and seek confirmation from the client before proceeding.
There are a few mistakes you can easily avoid with a little preparation. Check your documents for these mistakes before submitting them.
Using old documents: Make sure the documents you submit reflect your business’ current situation.
Submitting incomplete evidence: You may have failed to provide the information required for the assessment you are seeking.
Picking the wrong assessment: Make sure you pick the right assessment before purchasing a package.
Ignoring renewal dates: Keep track of the dates for both membership and assessment.
Not leaving enough time: Make sure you leave enough time to go through the paperwork and answer any questions.
Assuming certification means you’ll get the job: Being CHAS accredited doesn’t mean a client will award you a contract.
If you manage staff and clients and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, finding time to prepare for a Contractor Assessment can be extremely difficult.
SIA ACS Consulting offer a CHAS consultancy service to guide businesses through the process.
They offer support that may help you review the evidence, prepare the documentation and simplify the presentation of your application.
CHAS assessors should be trained to explain the official requirements to you. Ask them to clarify these for you, in advance, to check that you understand what is required. You may also want to know what services are offered as part of the package and whether there are hidden fees.
To find out more, or if you are thinking of applying for CHAS, or need any other Business Support, contact SIA ACS Consulting.
CHAS is a health and safety assessment scheme for contractors which demonstrates compliance with health and safety legislation. UK contractors may require this certification to show their clients as part of their prequalification process.
You should first establish exactly what your client wants and select the most appropriate CHAS assessment to complete.
When you have a clear understanding of what your client requires, review your documents to see if you can prepare any of the evidence yourself. This may improve your understanding of the assessment process and the official requirements.
If you need support preparing for CHAS certification, visit SIA ACS Consulting's CHAS Certification Services to learn more.