The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme
skip to the main content area of this page
"As Safety Manager for an Estates Section that has a large number of contractors, I have always found the great attributes of the scheme are its reasonable costs and the efficient turnaround". University of Leeds, 2009.

How to apply for a CHAS assessment

CHAS has moved to annual assessments

With effect from 1st October 2012 CHAS, like the majority of other health and safety pre-qualification schemes, has moved to an annual assessment cycle. View details of how this will affect you>>

1. If you are a contractor or consultant (supplier) download the application form relevant to your company:

If you are a group making an application to us or through another scheme please contact the CHAS administration team at chas.admin@merton.gov.uk.

2. Gather required supporting documents (listed in application forms) and contact us to say that your application is ready. Please remember to tell us your company name. If you are contacting us for assessor details you MUST tell us what type of assessment you need, otherwise your assessment may be delayed. I.e. Contractor / Designer / CDM-C / Care Service Provider.

3. CHAS admin will contact you via email with assessor details.

4. Send all relevant information to assessor.

5. The assessor can take up to 10 working days to complete their initial assessment.

6. Once the assessor receives your application, you will be invoiced by CHAS this will be posted from the London Borough of Merton. We would appreciate your prompt settlement of this invoice as non payment will result in your CHAS status being withdrawn, which could affect your ability to tender for work.

7. The assessor will contact you in writing to inform you of their findings. If you are unsuccessful, the assessor will explain the reason for this initial failure and you will have the opportunity to make the required improvements and submit additional evidence or documentation.

8. If successful, you will receive a confirmation letter and - providing your request for an assessor was made after 1st October 2012 - you will automatically be issued with accreditation which is valid for 12 months.

Please note CHAS does not issue registration numbers.

top of page>>

The CHAS Assessment

  • The assessment is carried out as a desktop assessment, there are no visits to your office or site, so it is important that when you send your application you include all supporting documents and evidence.
  • If you apply to one of our buyers for placement on their approved list, the assessment may be free if undertaken by them. However this may take longer than a direct application to CHAS because of the buyers' limited professional resources to do the assessment.
  • CHAS assessment is a simple process. Our assessors will do all they can to advise you as to what is needed to achieve compliance.
  • It is not unusual for suppliers to receive an initial failure letter or a request for further information. You will be told what needs to be improved and have the opportunity to reapply within a mutually agreed time scale.
  • A fundamental principle of our scheme is to help any supplier improve their safety management should they fail.
  • In exceptional cases, if the policy or arrangements are poor, you may be directed to seek competent health and safety advice.
  • When tendering to one of our buyers, you should note you will not be short-listed if your status in CHAS is 'failed or 'failed to resubmit'.
  • If you fail the assessment and then reapply to another CHAS buyer and it is more than two months since the failure date, it is likely the buyer will have destroyed your documentation (they will keep the application and assessors findings). Therefore you will have to start again and pay another assessment fee.
top of page>>

Areas to be Assessed

The table below shows the subject areas we assess. Not all areas of the assessment will apply to all suppliers, but it will depend on the kind of work the supplier does.

General Policy Statement Organisation for Health & Safety Work Equipment Health & Safety Training Consultation Arrangements First Aid
Fire and Emergency Procedures Display Screen Equipment Manual Handling of Loads COSHH Risk Assessment Asbestos
Health Surveillance Accident Reporting Work Equipment PPE Electrical Safety Contractor Management
Workplace and Inspections Fire Risk Assessment Monitoring, Audit and Review
top of page>>

What is Accreditation?

A CHAS compliant supplier meets acceptable standards of health and safety. (the threshold standard or core criteria). Our buyers can view which suppliers are compliant.

Accreditation goes beyond compliance. Accreditation provides several benefits including Licensed use of our logos on your stationery and livery and the potential for reduced insurance premiums

Please note: accreditation only needs to be requested separately if an assessment was requested before 1st October 2012. After this date accreditation will automatically be issued for compliant assessments. If unsure, please read how do I know if I need to apply for accreditation?

Read more about CHAS Accreditation

top of page>>

CHAS Costs

Please read the CHAS fees and summary table

top of page>>

Acknowledging other schemes

We have a 'deem to satisfy' agreement with other SSIP audited schemes. Read more about SSIP deem to satisfy and download an application form.

Please note that if you have previously registered with CHAS as either Failed or Failed to Resubmit the deem to satisfy entitlement is forfeited. You will have to make an application to CHAS for registration.
top of page>>