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

Toolbox talk alcohol and drugs

This toolbox talk alcohol and drugs cover the effects of alcohol and drugs on your safety and others at work.

Alcohol

1. In a high-risk industry like ours, alcohol and work are not compatible.
2. Alcohol is a depressant drug, which depresses parts of the brain function. When working on-site, you require all of your brain functions to save you from injury.
3. If you’re found to be intoxicated with alcohol, you won’t be allowed on site. You may end up losing your job.
4. Don’t get drunk the night before and expect to work safely on site the next day. Alcohol takes time to work out of your system (1 pint of beer takes approximately 2 hours).
5. 50% of all drivers killed are over the legal limit.
6. If you drink, don’t drive.
7.  Some workplace fatal accidents are alcohol-related.
8. Keep your head clear – leave your drinking sessions to social events, where you can’t cause injury to yourself or others.
9. Get a bad reputation for drinking, and you may not get another job as you’ll be seen as a liability.

Drugs

1. You are far more likely to have an accident on site when you are under the influence of drugs.
2. Drugs prescribed by your doctor could make you unfit for work, as can illegal drugs.
3. You may feel you don’t have a drug problem – it’s got nothing to do with you.  But if you get hurt, it’s a bit late to wonder what the other person was on.
4. If you know somebody is on drugs, tell your supervisor – help to stamp it out.
5. Signs to look for, watery eyes, pinpoint or dilated pupils, running nose, constant sniffing, tight lips, sores, ulcers, trembling, fatigue and irritability. If you see it, report it.
6. All drugs can affect your ability to work safely.
7. Some effects of drugs: slow reaction times, clumsiness, poor decision-making and distorted vision.
8. Don’t take ‘E’s – ‘E’ stands for ‘Ex-employee’.
9.  If you get offered drugs, say no, you’d rather work safely!
10. Drugs and work don’t mix.  Don’t let it become a problem.

Note to supervisor:  Now inform your workforce of the company policy regarding alcohol and drug abuse.

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Toolbox talk alcohol and drugs

Domestic Construction Phase Plan CDM

In this article we will explain the domestic construction phase plan CDM. Does your project require a CDM plan?

Domestic projects involving only you as a contractor

On these projects, the client duties are transferred to you, who must carry out the client’s duties as well as your own. In practice, this will involve you doing no more than they have done in the past to comply with health and safety legislation. Compliance with your own duties as a contractor will be taken as compliance with the relevant client duties to the extent necessary given the risks involved in the project. As a result of you taking on the client duties, any designers involved in the project will work with you in their role as the ‘client’.

Domestic projects involving more than one contractor

For projects involving more than one contractor the Principal Contractor will normally assume the Client duties. The domestic Client can choose to appoint the Principal Designer for the project. If, however, they do not make this appointment, the first Designer appointed during the preconstruction phase is the Principal Designer for the project. If so, the Principal Designer will be answerable to the Principal Contractor in their role as ‘Client’ for the project and will be responsible for liaising with them.

CDM rules

CDM applies to all construction projects, including domestic projects, regardless of size or duration. Domestic DIY projects are exempt from CDM, but significant work may require building control approval. Even if a project is not notifiable (see below), CDM still applies. 

HSE Notifiable Projects

If the project takes more than 30 days to complete and/or involves more than 20 people, the project then needs to conform to CDM regulations and is a notifiable project. You don’t need to notify HSE for non-notifiable projects, but CDM rules still apply.

Buy a construction phase CDM template

Key CDM Requirements

• Construction phase plan: A written document describing how the health, safety and welfare will be managed throughout the project.
• Competent people: Ensure that all those involved in the project, including the client, designers, and contractors, are competent. 
• Risk management: Encourage clear and effective communication and cooperation among all parties involved. 
• Communication: Encourage clear and effective communication and cooperation among all parties involved. 
• Health and Safety file: Keep a record of health and safety information for the project, to be maintained throughout the project lifecycle. 
• Domestic clients: For domestic clients, the client’s duties normally pass to the contractor if it is a single-contractor project or to the principal contractor for projects with more than one contractor. 
• Welfare facilities: Ensure adequate welfare facilities are provided, such as toilet and washing facilities, a place for preparing and consuming refreshments, and somewhere for storing and drying clothing and personal protective equipment. 
• Site inductions: Provide site inductions to keep people aware of any site danger.
• Prevent unauthorised access: Take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised access to the construction site. 
• Worker consultation: Consult and engage workers in securing their health and safety.

Refer to the following flow diagram for further details of CDM domestic projects.

CDM 2015 Applies to Domestic Clients

Buy a completed construction phase CDM plan

You can buy a completed construction phase CDM plan that is full editable, together with other site management documents, systems and tool.

Click on the link or image to buy.