What Is CHAS Accreditation and Why Do You Need It?
CHAS accreditation can make all the difference to contractors in the construction industry.
CHAS is short for the Contractors Health and safety Assessment Scheme and is a third-party accreditation, primarily used in the building and construction sectors. It is one of the most recognised and well-respected certifications in the industry, and with good reason. Clients know that any contractor bearing the CHAS accreditation logo can be depended upon to operate with the safety of their crew and others foremost in mind.
Here at Dromore Safety Services Ltd, we help contractors across the UK register for CHAS and prepare for their accreditation assessment. In this article, we will look at what CHAS accreditation is and why it’s so important to your business.
What Is CHAS Accreditation?
In simple terms, a CHAS accreditation is a formal acknowledgement of your company’s existing health and safety procedures and a confirmation that they meet a certain standard as laid out by the scheme. It means that any interested clients don’t need to do a full review, as your CHAS accreditation shows that your processes meet all industry regulations and guidelines.
Do I Need CHAS Accreditation?
No. There is no legal requirement for you to be registered with or accredited by CHAS. You can still operate as a contractor without having undergone any kind of CHAS assessment. In practical terms, however, many clients will insist on only hiring contractors with full accreditation for their own security and peace of mind. Indeed, some sectors, including local councils, Local Education Authorities, and other public sector bodies, will not even consider a tender from contractors without an up-to-date CHAS accreditation.
What Types of CHAS Accreditation Are There?
There are three types of CHAS certificates available: standard, advanced, and elite.
CHAS Standard: This is an entry-level membership to the scheme, comprising a full health and safety assessment by CHAS, a self-certified insurance module, and accreditation with SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement).
CHAS Advanced: This is the scheme’s mid-range package, which includes accreditation with both SSIP and PAS91. This certificate requires you to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire that will demonstrate that your company complies with industry standards across nine key risk management areas.
CHAS Elite: This is the top-tier accreditation and confirms you meet the standards for SSIP, PAS91, and the Common Assessment Standard. This is the leading pre-qualification system for the construction sector, developed by key industry bodies (including CHAS). It streamlines core standards over 13 essential supply chain risk management areas.
What Are the Benefits of CHAS Accreditation?
CHAS accreditation helps contractors and buyers alike by saving both parties the time and money required to confirm a contractor meets all industry health and safety standards.
For buyers, this is one less hurdle to clear when putting projects out to tender. The CHAS certification is well respected across the building sector, and clients can move forward with confidence if their preferred vendor is properly accredited.
For contractors, not only will accreditation help you get your foot in the door of lucrative public sector projects, but it also allows you to focus your team’s efforts where they are needed most. With CHAS accreditation, your health and safety processes are only assessed once per year, rather than for every project you bid on. This frees up your team for more business-centric work.
How Do I Apply for CHAS Accreditation?
This is where we come in. Any company can register with CHAS and apply for accreditation directly through their website. However, without the right health and safety procedures in place, it is unlikely that you will meet the requirements for your CHAS certificate. At Dromore Safety Services Ltd, we can help you bring your processes up to the required standard prior to application as well as walk you through the various paperwork involved.
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Get in touch
If you’re a contractor working in the construction industry, you may find a CHAS accreditation opens up many more opportunities for you and your team. For professional assistance registering with CHAS and attaining your accreditation, get in touch with Dromore Safety Services Ltd today.
Call the team on 07717 210 323 to discuss your requirements and put together a plan of action.
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