Do I need to be a CHAS accredited contractor?

If you are self-employed or a small contractor do you need to be a CHAS accredited contractor. You may be asked to get CHAS or other SSIP certificate. Let us explain the situation to you.

Domestic Market

If you work in the domestic market and want to sail close to the wind, the answer is no, as homeowners will not insist that you work safely.

However, you have a duty of care for yourself and others under UK health and safety legislation. Even working in the domestic market, you will be in trouble if you have a terrible accident or cause harm to others.

Construction Market

The answer is yes if you work in the construction market or want to work there. You will need to have a recognised standard of health and safety.

Main contractors and clients such as local authorities insist that everyone who works for them has a standard of health and safety. They insist as it is part of their health and safety systems.

The most well-known standard is CHAS, but there are other providers of the same standard under the SSIP umbrella. SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is a organisation that manages accreditation suppliers, to ensure they work to the same standards.

The size of your business matters

If you are self-employed or a small contractor with less than 5 employees, you need CHAS or similar, SSIP but you will not be required to employ a competent person safety advisor.

You must employ a competent person safety advisor if you employ 5 or more people, including sub-contractors or other self-employed people. The easiest way to do this is to use a remote competent person safety advisor. We offer this service.

What is CHAS

The Core Criteria and the threshold standard of CHAS and all the other SSIP accreditations  is as follows:

• 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

The Good News

We are here to support you through the 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 complete the form below.

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 Authority and 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:

• 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
• Deaths
• Specified Injuries
• Over 3 days incapacitated
• Over 7 days Incapacitated
• Injuries to non-workers
• Occupational Diseases
• Dangerous Occurrences
• Gas Incidents

Chas assessment standards

Learn more about CHAS

We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:

• What is CHAS
• CHAS accreditations
• CHAS registration
• Guide to CHAS
• CHAS renewal
• CHAS accreditation cost
• SIPP accreditation and CHAS
• CHAS deem to satisfy
• CHAS Training Guidance
• Competent person and CHAS
• CHAS support

CHAS Support

A CHAS application can be daunting if you are not a health and safety advisor or have had no formal training in health and safety such as NEBOSH or similar.

What Is CHAS?

CHAS stands for (the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and is underneath the umbrella of SSIP.

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.

Many companies and government bodies require an SSIP accreditation before they allow you to tender.

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

Our CHAS application process

Step 1. Register for an account with CHAS and choose the membership level you require.

Step 2. Purchase the associated Support Package via our website or by calling us.

Step 3. We will contact you to request specific documentation. The information we require varies depending on the type of CHAS application selected.

Step 4. We review your documents and implement anything missing, then upload all evidence to your CHAS portal and submit for assessment.

Step 5. You will receive your CHAS-compliant certificate and enjoy all the benefits of demonstrating compliance.

WHY select Seguro to support you with your CHAS application

We have over 20 years of industry experience and complete over 500 applications yearly.

As part of our hassle-free and in-depth service, we’ll complete the CHAS registration form on your behalf and prepare supporting documents as and when necessary.

CHAS registration requires you to have a recognised health and safety management standard and covers compliance issues regarding your field of work.

Once we have received the information we require from you, we aim to have your CHAS application submitted for assessment within five business days, although this is often even sooner.

Our fees are the most cost-effective available. We will do the work while you get on with your job, saving you time and money.

We will assign you a dedicated health and safety professional offering CHAS support throughout the process. We can implement policies, arrangements and procedures, assist with assessments like RAMS and provide training to your workforce. When we have completed the application, you will have everything you need to pass the CHAS accreditation.

Testimonials

Spinney Electrical

I would just like to thank you for all your help patients & time.

Finally!! Feeling relieved.

Vicky

13th February 2023

City Dispense

We’ve passed again, thank you for your help

Regards

Andy  | Director

9th February 2023

Hyperion

I just wanted to send you a quick email about the amazing staff you have on your team.

Natasha has been dealing with Hyperion for a couple of years now, and we have received nothing but exceptional service from this young lady. I get the quickest responses, with as much help as possible provided every single time. She has gone above and beyond for myself and Mark every time I have spoken to her.

I thought I would just share this with you as I feel her remarkable customer service and attitude towards the job should most definitely be recognised, and she’s an absolute credit to yourself and the rest of the team.

Thanks to all at Seguro

Kind Regards

Saskia

26th February 2020

Learn more about CHAS

We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:

• What is CHAS
• CHAS accreditations
• CHAS registration
• Guide to CHAS
• CHAS renewal
• CHAS accreditation cost
• SIPP accreditation and CHAS
• CHAS assessment criteria
• CHAS deem to satisfy
• CHAS Training Guidance
• Competent person and CHAS

CHAS Training Guidance

You will be required to prove that your personnel have been trained and you have the correct training and procedures to show they are performing their jobs responsibly with Health & Safety.

The training requirements often differ depending on which sector you are in and the business size. CHAS has identified some set minimum criteria, and it is a good place to start for all companies.

To comply with the standard, you may be required to train your personnel in the following courses if you have not already done so.

• General duties of employers and employees at work for health and safety Health & Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974
• Reporting of accidents, health issues and dangerous incidents The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
• Asbestos The Control of Asbestos Regulations
• Working at Height The Work at Height Regulations 
• First Aid The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations
• Fire precautions The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
• Noise and vibration The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (NAW Regs) and The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
• Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE Regs)
• Substances hazardous to Health Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs (COSHH)
• Electricity Electricity at Work Regs
• Manual handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHO Regs)
• Work Equipment Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWE) Regs

CHAS will accept any training qualification provided it meets the content requirements and an organisation of suitable expertise has independently approved it.

Such organisations include:

• Relevant Trade Associations, e.g. BESA, ECA
• Safety organisations, e.g. RoSPA, IOSH, IIRSM
• Government agencies, e.g. CITB
• Regulated training authorities, e.g. City & Guilds

Seguro health and safety training

We offer twenty-four health and safety training courses at a fraction of the cost management time you’d expect; this health and safety e-learning has the bonus of a minimal loss of productivity because it’s efficient and flexible.

You can try them for FREE.

Learn more about CHAS

We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:

• What is CHAS
• CHAS accreditations
• CHAS registration
• Guide to CHAS
• CHAS renewal
• CHAS accreditation cost
• SIPP accreditation and CHAS
• CHAS assessment criteria
• CHAS deem to satisfy
• Competent person and CHAS
• CHAS support

CHAS deem to satisfy

The CHAS Deem to Satisfy (DtS) scheme allows contractors to apply for CHAS Standard membership without undergoing another health and safety assessment.

All member schemes listed on the SSIP forum adhere to the SSIP Core Criteria, backed by the Health and Safety Executive.

By mutually recognising each other’s schemes, suppliers benefit from only needing to complete one assessment, while buyers enjoy more efficient procurement processes. This approach reduces costs and has saved over £68 million since 2016.

Eligibility

Contractors must have already met the requirements of an assessment through another SSIP member scheme. 

Benefits

Contractors can save time and resources by avoiding a full assessment. They can also avoid paying full price for multiple accreditations. 

Process

Contractors can: 

1. Check if they have a qualification that CHAS recognises by contacting CHAS or using the e-form. 
2. Submit their assessment, which will be reviewed within 10 working days. 
3. Respond to any requests for additional information within the 2-week deadline. 

CHAS deem to satisfy registered members

Two-Way Deem to Satisfy between SSIP Registered Members.

Approval with a Registered Member can only be used to Deem to Satisfy with another Registered Member; it cannot be used to gain a Deem to Satisfy with a Certification Body Member.

Below is the list of registered members you can use for deem to satisfy:

3Core2 Certification Limited Trading As SafeArb SafeArb

Achilles Information Ltd Building Confidence

Alcumus SafeContractor Ltd Alcumus Safecontractor

Altius VA Limited CDMComply

Arboricultural Association ARB Approved Contractor

Association for Project Safety APS Corporate Practice Membership

Avetta Avetta Assessed

CHAS 2013 Ltd Contractors Health & Safety Scheme

Construction Safety Solutions PASS

CQMS Ltd CQMS Safety-Scheme

D W Health & Safety DW Health & Safety Contractor Competency Scheme

Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training Ltd FASET Membership Audit

Fortius Ltd Acclaim Accreditation

Greenlight Safety Assessment Scheme Ltd Greenlight Safety Assessment Scheme

Hire Association Europe Ltd SafeHire Certification Scheme

International Powered Access Federation [IPAF] IPAF SSIP

MSL Property Care Services Ltd MSL Safepartner

National Access & Scaffolding Confederation Ltd NASC SSIP Audit

National Federation of Demolition Contractors NFDC Membership

PQS Pre-Qualification Scheme PQS Health & Safety Approved

Salus Certification Salus Certification

Safe-T-Cert [NI] {Construction Employers Federation} Safe-T-Cert

Safe-T-Cert [ROI] {Construction Industry Federation} Safe-T-Cert

Safety Management Advisory Services Ltd SMAS Worksafe

SSG Training and Consultancy Ltd SSG Assessed

William Martin Compliance Limited Prosure 360

Learn more about CHAS

We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:

• What is CHAS
• CHAS accreditations
• CHAS registration
• Guide to CHAS
• CHAS renewal
• CHAS accreditation cost
• SIPP accreditation and CHAS
• CHAS assessment criteria
• CHAS Training Guidance
• Competent person and CHAS
• CHAS support

If you have any questions on what is CHAS accreditation please get in touch.

CHAS accreditation costs

Our CHAS accreditation cost article will give you all the information you need to make a decision, if CHAS is right for you.

The CHAS accreditation costs below are dated January 2025. Please get in touch with us for up-to-date costs if this article becomes out of date.

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 Advanced

The mid-range package includes all the Standard package benefits, plus helps you achieve SSIP and PAS 91 accreditation. 

CHAS Elite

The highest level of accreditation, which includes all the benefits of the other packages, plus access to the Common Assessment Standard 

The Common Assessment Standard covers 13 areas of risk management, including: 

1. Identity
2. Financial
3. Insurance
4. Corporate and professional standing
5. Health and Safety
6. Environmental management
7. Quality management
8. Equality
9. Corporate and professional standing
10. Information security
11. Information management
12. Anit-Bribery and corruption
13. Modern Slavery

While CHAS accreditation isn’t legally required, some clients may specify that it’s needed to work on their sites. It’s a common requirement for public sector and commercial contracts.

CHAS accreditation cost

CHAS has developed a membership-type offering that gives you the benefits described below. The cost of each type depends on how many people you employ. Costs per annum: You must renew the certification each year.

CHAS membership benefits include: 

• Free legal assistance
• Business Shield support
• A free 1-month CHAS RAMs trial
• Access to a jobs board
• Free resources
• Exclusive discounts

CHAS Standard

• 1 person £409 + VAT
• 2 to 4 people £459 + VAT
• 5 to 15 people £749 + VAT
• 31 to 50 people £1189 + VAT
• 102 to 200 people £2019 + VAT

CHAS Advanced

• 1 person £639 + VAT
• 2 to 4 people £739 + VAT
• 5 to 15 people £1,139 + VAT
• 31 to 50 people £1,859 + VAT
• 102 to 200 people £3,00 + VAT

CHAS Elite

• 1 person £879 + VAT
• 2 to 4 people £919 + VAT
• 5 to 15 people £1,339 + VAT
• 31 to 50 people £2,329 + VAT
• 102 to 200 people £3,679 + VAT

Other CHAS accreditation Costs

Training

To comply with the standard, you may be required to train your personnel in the following courses if you have not already done so.

• Asbestos The Control of Asbestos Regulations
• Working at Height The Work at Height Regulations CHAS 2013 Ltd –
• First Aid The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations
• Fire precautions The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
• Noise and vibration The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (NAW Regs) and The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
• Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE Regs)
• Substances hazardous to Health Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs (COSHH)
• Electricity Electricity at Work Regs
• Manual handling Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHO Regs)
• Work Equipment Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWE) Regs

Competent person safety advisor

You must employ a competent safety advisor if you employ more than five people. If you are a large organisation, you may already have one. Employing a qualified safety advisor may be prohibitive if you are a small contractor.

We are the remote competent person safety advisor for over eight hundred companies. We can offer this service to you for a fraction of the cost.

Cost Savings

An alternative SSIP accreditation that saves you cost

The other popular SSIP accreditation suppliers are:

• PQS
• Construction line
• Safe Contractor
• SMAS
• CQMA
• Builders profile
• Evetta

The costs for a PQS accreditation, for example, are:

• Deem to satisfy £49 + VAT
• 1 person £99 + VAT
• 2 to 4 people £119 + VAT
• over 5 people £149 + VAT

As you can see, the cost is a fraction of the cost of CHAS. Why, you may ask. CHAS was a government project; in recent years, several corporations have bought it out. Costs have risen each time it has been taken over.

CHAS and all the other accreditation suppliers operate under the SSIP umbrella and comply with the SSIP standard. This means the accreditation and applications are all the same.

You can obtain a CHAS certificate with PQS accreditation with the deem to satisfy system. This can save you a lot of money.

CHAS or other SIPP cost calculation

The best way to calculate the full cost of your CHAS/SIPP accreditation is to tell us about your business, and we can give you a full breakdown of costs from the information you provide.

We carry out over five hundred CHAS and other SIPP accreditations annually. We have the skills, prepared documents, and know how to get you accredited with the minimum of fuss and fast. We can turn around an accreditation within five days, subject to having all the information from you.

Learn more about CHAS

We have a series of articles where you can learn more about CHAS. The list of articles is below:

• What is CHAS
• CHAS accreditations
• CHAS registration
• Guide to CHAS
• CHAS renewal
• SIPP accreditation and CHAS
• CHAS assessment criteria
• CHAS deem to satisfy
• CHAS Training Guidance
• Competent person and CHAS
• CHAS support