CHAS is one of the founding members of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement). CHAS accreditation demonstrates you meet health & safety prequalification requirements expected by local authorities, housing associations, facilities managers, and commercial clients when awarding contracts.
| Issued by | CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | £400 a year |
| Renewal | Every year |
| Who needs it | Electricians, gas engineers, heating engineers, plumbers, builders, groundworkers, roofers, scaffolders, painters and decorators, glaziers |
What you need to get it
10 requirements, and what counts as evidence for each.
Health & Safety Policy
A written Health & Safety Policy signed by the most senior person in the business. Must include a statement of intent, organisation (who is responsible), and arrangements (how H&S is managed). For sole traders/small firms a simple policy is acceptable.
Evidence: Signed, dated H&S Policy document.
Risk Assessment Procedure
Evidence of risk assessments for your main work activities. Assessments must identify hazards, evaluate risks, and list control measures.
Evidence: Sample risk assessments for 2–3 typical job types.
Method Statements / SSOW
Written safe systems of work (method statements) for higher-risk activities relevant to your trade.
Evidence: Sample method statements.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
Minimum £5m employer’s liability insurance (legally required if you have employees). Sole traders with no employees are exempt.
Evidence: EL insurance certificate.
Public Liability Insurance
Minimum £5m public liability insurance (higher than some other schemes).
Evidence: PL insurance certificate.
Accident Recording System
Evidence of a system for recording work-related accidents and near misses.
Evidence: Accident book or electronic system screenshots.
RIDDOR Procedure
Demonstrate awareness of RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) and how you would report reportable incidents.
Evidence: Brief written procedure or statement of how RIDDOR reporting is handled.
Training Records & Competence
Evidence that all workers are competent and have received appropriate H&S training. Include induction training, trade qualifications, and H&S tickets (CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, etc.).
Evidence: Training records, certificates, and CSCS card copies for all operatives.
Named H&S Responsible Person
Identify a competent person responsible for health & safety within the business.
Evidence: Name and role of H&S responsible person on the application.
CHAS Online Assessment
Complete the CHAS online assessment portal, uploading all required documentation. CHAS assessors review submissions within 10 working days.
Evidence: Completed CHAS online application.
What you have to keep doing
Getting it is the easy part. Keeping it means:
Annual Renewal
Submit updated documents annually. CHAS accreditation runs for 12 months.
Keep Documents Current
Update risk assessments and method statements whenever work activities or legislation changes.
Is it worth it?
At £400, the question isn’t the fee — it’s whether it wins you work. For electricians it usually does, because it’s the first thing a cautious customer or a commercial buyer checks. Most trades hold accreditations and then hide the logos in the footer. If you’ve paid for it, it belongs where customers actually look.
Apply via CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)
Tracking it
Accreditations lapse quietly. The renewal date lands in a busy month, nobody spots it, and you find out when a customer asks for the certificate. Gaffer keeps your accreditations, evidence and renewal dates in one place and reminds you before they expire.