Health and safety are quite important in the business world. If you are a contractor or consultant, it is often wise to show that you are compliant with health and safety regulations. One of the best ways to do this is to fill out a CHAS application and seek out CHAS accreditation.

What is CHAS?

CHAS is the Contractor Health and Safety Scheme. Founded in 1997, the scheme was meant to help to elevate the health & safety practices of contractors and consultants throughout the UK while reduces the duplicate health and safety applications often dealt with by both buyers and suppliers. This system became entirely web-based in 2001, and now helps to assess various health and safety related aspects of contractors and consultants.

This scheme is used for those that are considered “buyers” under the scheme, providing a safe and efficient way for buyers to assess the safety competency of various suppliers. Assessment is available on a yearly basis, and companies must re-apply annually to prove that they are maintaining the high standards that are set up by the scheme.

Who Qualifies?

CHAS membership is meant for any consultant or contractor that works with other companies. CHAS Accreditation is gained through the act of becoming CHAS compliant, and most be renewed on a yearly basis.

The Benefits of CHAS Registration

CHAS Accreditation is one of the few schemes that benefits both buyers and suppliers equally. For buyers, the accreditation actually provides a bit of piece of mind that might otherwise be impossible to match. Since CHAS accredited suppliers are held to the highest standards of safety, buyers that make use of these suppliers can know that they are in compliance with various health and safety laws.

The organisation can also give suppliers a chance to feel secure in their supplier’s ability to consistently perform well. Working with CHAS accredited suppliers is a fine way to make sure that the buyer will not fall prey to any issues that result from working with a supplier that has poor health or safety standards, thus reducing the company’s overall liability in business.

Suppliers, though reap the real benefits of CHAS accreditation. CHAS accreditation takes away the uncertainty of whether or not a supplier’s practices are safe, allowing a supplier to avoid the often frustrating judgment from various buyers. CHAS also helps suppliers to improve their own practices by providing helpful advice, a necessity for those that want to undertake larger jobs and improve their work product.

Perhaps most important of all, a successful CHAS application will allow suppliers to work with any buyer that qualifies as a CHAS buyer. CHAS accredited suppliers are also given a fair number of benefits in advertising, including the use of the CHAS logo and becoming added to the publicly searchable CHAS database. Businesses that meet the criteria for accreditation may also qualify for perks such as reduced liability insurance and the ability to avoid certain questionnaires.

Becoming CHAS Accredited

The process of CHAS Accreditation is actually quite simple. Firstly, one must complete the CHAS Application form relevant for the size of your business, of which we can help with . Secondly, is to provide all the supporting evidence. Once all of the documents have been gathered, the business should then contact CHAS to let the organisation know that the application is ready. Once contacted, CHAS will provide the company with information about the assigned assessor, and the company can then send the documents to the assessor.

The Assessors Assessment

Within the next ten days, the assessor will assess the application and make a decision. If the assessor finds in favour of the business, it will become CHAS compliant immediately, or the assessor will issue an initial fail letter which will outline the shortfalls requiring attention and a date on which this information is to be submitted for further assessment.

CHAS Accreditation is the next step. To become accredited, a company must make a successful application to become certified and then apply to become accredited within the next nine months. Accreditation requires the payment of a small fee, and lasts for twelve months after the last assessment. After becoming accredited, the supplier will receive the benefits listed above.

If you are a supplier, filling out a CHAS application can help you to gain more work. If you are a buyer, CHAS accredited suppliers can help you to meet your own safety requirements. No matter which side of the equation you are on, CHAS compliance can benefit you.

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