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Having trouble with your RE-CHAS?
Each application for CHAS is treated as a new application, this is so that your paperwork can be assessed on a yearly basis to ensure that you comply with the latest Health & Safety Legislation. We often get calls from companies saying that the paperwork they have submitted last year has not been accepted this time around.
If you submit documentation that CHAS do not think is up to the standard they need to pass, they will provide you with a list of actions. This will be sent out to you by your appointed CHAS assessor.
The documentation will go into detail to let you know what you need to provide as additional information, there are a number of actions you can then choose:
Compile the documentation yourself
Purchase the documents needed and complete it independently
Contact a Competent Health & Safety Consultant who can provide you with the information needed as well as advice
We can do your CHAS with you starting at £300 + vat for less than 5 employees.
Having trouble with your RE-CHAS? support
As a Health and Safety Consultant we are happy to look at your documentation and bespoke the responses based on your business please get in touchif you would like our help on 0800 031 5404.
What is the difference between CHAS and Constructionline?
CHAS focuses mainly on health and safety compliance and SSIP accreditation, while Constructionline is a broader pre-qualification platform that includes financial checks, supplier verification and procurement visibility.
Is CHAS better than Constructionline?
Neither CHAS nor Constructionline is better overall. CHAS is better for demonstrating health and safety compliance, while Constructionline is better for accessing procurement opportunities and supplier databases. The right choice depends on your client’s requirements.
Do I need CHAS or Constructionline?
You may only need one accreditation, depending on your clients. Many contractors choose CHAS to meet SSIP requirements, while others choose Constructionline for tendering and visibility. Some businesses use both to maximise opportunities.
Is Constructionline SSIP accredited?
es. Constructionline Gold includes SSIP accreditation, meaning it meets the same core health and safety criteria as schemes like CHAS.
Costs vary depending on company size and level. CHAS typically costs from around £400 per year, while Constructionline starts from around £498 per year, with higher tiers costing more.
Can I have both CHAS and Constructionline?
Yes. Many contractors hold both CHAS and Constructionline to meet different client requirements and increase their chances of winning work.
Which accreditation do main contractors prefer?
Main contractors and local authorities often require CHAS or another SSIP scheme for health and safety compliance. Some larger frameworks and procurement systems may specify Constructionline.
The different between a small and a large CHAS application
Insight by
Amanda Lambert
Published on
18 October 2022
CHAS
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The different between a small and a large CHAS application
Understand the difference between a small and a large CHAS application and the impact of employee numbers on requirements. We often get companies asking us what is the difference between having 4 employees or 5 when applying for CHAS. CHAS define an employee as someone who you pay through your PAYE system, there are different assessment fees due depending on the number of employees you declare.
In particular to CHAS there is an increased number of documents you need to provide as well as evidence of your safety arrangements including Health & Safety policy.
Once you have 5 employees or more you have legal requirements under the Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1974, you need to have formal arrangements in place for competent Safety advice as well as a full Heath & Safety Management system.
Learn more about CHAS
We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:
If you are not sure which bracket you fall under, or if you have enough documentation to satisfy the assessment get in touch and we will be able to provide you with advice.
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What documents are needed for CHAS?
Find out what documents are needed for CHAS? CHAS is an assessment of your Health & Safety documentation, so you will need to provide evidence that this is carried out correctly. Depending on the size of your business depends on the information you need to provide. The details below are for 5 employees or less you will need more for 5+ employees.
Examples of documentation needed will include:
Toolbox Talks attendance sheets
COSHH assessments
Risk Assessment and Method Statement for job specifics
Sub contractor induction documentation
Agreements to show evidence of your safety advisor.
COVID 19 procedures and processes
Evidence of training requirement for your industry this can include:
CSCS cards
Manual Handling
Working at heights
Asbestos awareness
Abrasive Wheel Training
CHAS assessment criteria
The CHAS assessment criteria are the same as those of all SSIP suppliers. SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is an umbrella organisation formed in 2009 to reduce the duplication of health and safety assessments.
The CHAS assessment standards and requirements are listed below.
Policy
Arrangements
Occupational Health
Behavioural Management
Enforcement Actions
Accident Reporting and Investigation
Fleet Operations / Management Scheme
Competent Advice – Corporate and Construction
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Training and Information
Individual Qualifications and Experience
Monitoring, Audit and Review
Risk Assessment Leading to a Safe System of Work
Workforce Involvement
Co-operation and Co-ordination
Welfare Provision
Subcontractors and Sub-consultants
Contractor
Principal Contractor
Designer
Below is a flavour of the detail required for the first five parts of the CHAS application.
Policy
The Health and Safety Policy should be:
In the correct company name (As listed on the CHAS 2013 Ltd application)
Dated within the last 12 months
Approved by the appropriate company director / responsible person
Lists the persons with health and safety responsibilities and sets out the responsibilities of H&S management throughout the organisation.
We can make the process of the CHAS application easy for you by doing it for you.
Arrangements
The arrangements section of the Health and Safety policy should include but not limited to the following:
Accident reporting, including RIDDOR, first aid and work-related ill health
Training
Information, instruction & supervision
Communication
Risk assessment
Monitoring
Emergency procedures
Asbestos
COVID -19
Occupational Health
The policy or arrangements should include the following:
• Measures to raise awareness of these issues such as posters and toolbox talks
• How the workforce can access help and support if suffering from these issues Health & Safety Assessment Guidance v1.0 (website) 05/07/2023 Uncontrolled document when printed Page 2 of 13 Classification: PUBLIC • How the workforce is trained to handle these issues such as access to accredited mental health first aid training.
Behavioural Management
The supporting evidence must confirm that there are documented arrangements in place for a behavioural management or behavioural safety programme.
Enforcement Actions
Details of any enforcement notices (Prohibition, Improvement or Crown) or prosecutions served on your company in the last five years by the HSE or Local Authorityand the remedial actions taken to prevent a reoccurrence. A prosecution or notice will not debar the business from registration but a failure to declare one could – please note that CHAS will check the HSE public register of convictions.
Accident Reporting and Investigation
Supporting Information:
Find out what documents are needed for CHAS arrangements.
• Documented arrangements for the recording, reporting, and reporting of accidents (Including RIDDOR reportable accidents).
Records of all RIDDOR-reportable and other incidents for at least the last three years, including remedial actions to prevent a reoccurrence.
Records of any other accidents within the last three years, including the remedial actions to prevent a reoccurrence. The accident statistics for the last three years incorporating the following categories: Health & Safety Assessment Guidance v1.0 (website) 05/07/2023 Uncontrolled document when printed Page 3 of 13 Classification: PUBLIC
SSIP accreditation is a UK health and safety pre-qualification system that assesses contractors against a standard set of criteria. It helps reduce duplication across different schemes and allows contractors to demonstrate compliance to clients and main contractors.
What is CHAS, and how does it relate to SSIP?
CHAS is a health and safety accreditation scheme and a member of SSIP. It assesses contractors against the SSIP core criteria, meaning a CHAS certificate demonstrates compliance with recognised UK construction health and safety standards.
Do I need SSIP or CHAS to work in construction?
Most contractors working for main contractors, local authorities or commercial clients need SSIP accreditation such as CHAS. It is often required for pre-qualification and for accessing construction work opportunities.
Is CHAS the same as SSIP?
No. SSIP is the umbrella organisation that sets the assessment standard, while CHAS is one of the accreditation schemes that assesses contractors against those standards.
Can I use another SSIP scheme instead of CHAS?
Yes. Other SSIP schemes, such as PQS, Constructionline, SMAS, and SafeContractor, assess contractors against the same core criteria. The choice depends on what your clients or tenders require.
How long does SSIP or CHAS accreditation last?
SSIP accreditations, such as CHAS, typically last for 12 months. Contractors must renew annually to remain compliant and visible to clients and buyers. Learn about CHAS renewal.
What does CHAS assess?
CHAS assesses health and safety policies, risk assessments, training records, competent advice, accident reporting, workforce involvement, monitoring systems and subcontractor management to ensure contractors can work safely and meet industry standards. Learn about CHAS assessment criteria.
Why is SSIP accreditation important?
SSIP accreditation is important because it proves your business meets recognised health and safety standards, helps you pass pre-qualification requirements and increases your chances of winning contracts in the construction industry.
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Acclaim Accreditation
What is a Acclaim Accreditation
Acclaim was created in 2012 and is a member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement)
SSIP is an umbrella organisation formed in 2009 to reduce the duplication of health and safety assessments.
Acclaim is the accreditation arm of Constructionline. When you join Constructionline, you will be directed to Acclaim to complete the Health and safety accreditation process to obtain the SSIP certificate.
Do I have to apply for an Acclaim at the same time as I do for a construction line?
Yes. Acclaim has been included within all paid Constructionline memberships and is no longer offered as a standalone product.
ConstructionlineBronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum memberships include Acclaim but also offer a ‘Deem to Satisfy’ certificate for those who hold a valid SSIP with an alternative provider.
What will an Acclaim accreditation cover?
All assessments are completed using the SSIP Core Criteria as the threshold standard and cover the following:
Health & Safety policy
Competent Advice
Training arrangements
Monitoring, audit and review
Workforce involvement
Accident reporting and enforcement action
Subcontracting/consulting
Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work
Cooperations with others
Welfare provision
Hazard elimination
How much does an assessment cost?
Fees charged by our members vary and take into account other membership fees. It is essential to recognise that all assessments are equal and all are carried out against the same standard.
If you are not sure feel free to call us for support.
How long will it take to get a certificate?
This varies from scheme to scheme and is dependent on you providing everything needed for the assessment. Typically, schemes will try to complete their initial assessment within ten working days.
Who is Seguro and how can you help me?
Seguro is a health and safety company that specialises in SSIP accreditation. We completed over 500 applications per year. Our success rate is 100%.
We are here to support you through the acclaim accreditation process; we can prepare all the documents, complete the registration forms, and simplify the process. CHAS is expensive, but other providers are very economical. The best thing to do is chat with us and learn more; we can tell you about the costs and the time frame. Our number is 0800 031 5404, or you can request a quote.
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Looking for CHAS renewal forms?
CHAS adopt the same system for their renewals as they do for new registrations, all registrations are now online and you can register on CHAS website. When you go to the website you will be given the following options at the top of the right hand side of the screen:
Renew
Apply
Login
If you click on renew you will be taken to a log in screen where you are required to add email address and password. There is a forgot password option if you have forgotten the details you used last year. If you don’t have the same email address you will need to call CHAS on 0208 545 3838 and they will help you.
Once you have logged in, you will be able to complete your CHAS renewal application online and once complete you can submit for assessment.
STOP THINK
There is a quick way to get your CHAS renewed. We renew over 1,000 CHAS application per year, we can do it for you CALL 0800 031 5404 during office hours or complete the form on this link telling us you are looking for a CHAS renewal.
CHAS renewal costs
CHAS offers three membership packages with different levels of accreditation:
CHAS Standard
The entry-level package includes a health and safety assessment and SSIP accreditation. CHAS membership fees
CHAS Advanced
The mid-range package includes all the Standard package benefits, plus helps you achieve SSIP and PAS 91 accreditation. CHAS membership fees
CHAS Elite
The highest level of accreditation includes all the benefits of the other packages, plus access to the Common Assessment Standard. CHAS membership fees
Learn more about CHAS
We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:
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CHAS recently introduced two new levels CHAS Premium or Premium Plus within the CHAS portal.
They both come with an additional assessment Fee as well as the preparation of more information. We have had a number of people asking us to help them with these levels although they were not required for anyone who is only needed the basic level of CHAS to work with their existing customers.
The additional levels are generally a requirement from a client that you are currently working with or are looking to work for. The original CHAS level is more than enough unless you have been asked for the increase.
Both levels can easily be added on to your account so there is no worry about being able to upgrade at a later point.
If your unsure which CHAS Premium or Premium Plus you need please get in touch and we will be able to advise you.
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CHAS introduces new verified levels within their portals.
These new verified levels enable you to provide more information that can be assessed by an assessor to show the competency of your company.
This is falling in line with the likes of Constructionline who already have this in place with the launch of their new levels during 2017.
The new verified levels fall under the criteria below:
CHAS – Health & Safety assessment, completed with 4 additional SELF-CERTIFIED services, ready for potential clients to review.
CHAS Premium – Health & Safety assessment, completed with 4 additional VERIFIED services, demonstrating PAS91 compliance to the 1000+ CHAS clients.
CHAS Premium Plus – Health & Safety assessment, completed with 6 additional VERIFIED services, demonstrating PAS91 compliance PLUS the increasingly requested Modern Slavery and Anti-Bribery and Corruption services.
Prices for membership are still to be confirmed and should be released in August 2018, once CHAS introduces new verified levels we will let you know the costs.
If you need any help with the additional information please get in touch as we already have the documentation available to help you with the additional questions.
