CHAS Application Support for Contractors
CHAS Accreditation Support in Newcastle and the North East
Practical help preparing your CHAS application, getting your health and safety documents in order and responding to assessor feedback, so you can get approved and get on site..
Chartered Expertise
NEBOSH Diploma Qualified
ISO Specialists
CHAS Specialists
Understanding CHAS
What Is CHAS Accreditation?
CHAS stands for the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. It’s a prequalification scheme that checks whether a contractor has suitable health and safety arrangements in place before being considered for work. The entry level CHAS Standard assessment also meets Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP). SSIP is the framework that helps contractors avoid repeating near identical assessments for different clients. It also connects with Constructionline accreditation
CHAS isn’t a legal requirement for every business. But if a client, principal contractor or procurement team asks for it, you’ll usually need it before you can tender, join an approved supplier list or start work.
How We Support Your Application
Practical CHAS Support From First Review to Submission
We help you put together accurate, relevant evidence and get your application through with as few delays as possible.
- 01
Initial Application Review
We look at your business, your work activities and the CHAS level you need, then check what evidence you already have.
- 02
CHAS Document Review
We check your existing policies, risk assessments, method statements and records for gaps, inconsistencies and anything out of date.
- 03
Missing Documentation
Where suitable evidence is not already available, A&T Consultancy can help develop the health and safety documents needed to support the application.
- 04
Assessment Questions
We explain what each question is really asking and help you match the right evidence to it.
- 05
Assessor Feedback
If the assessor asks for more information, we review the comments and help you respond clearly and on time.
- 06
Final Check
We run a final review before submission to catch the gaps that cause delays. The assessment decision itself is made independently by CHAS.
Choosing the Right Membership Level
CHAS Standard, Advanced or Elite: Which Do You Need?
The right level depends on what your client or tender asks for. We’ll check the requirement with you, so you don’t pay for more than you need or fall short of what’s been asked.
CHAS Standard
What it covers
Health and safety assessment plus SSIP verification
Often requested by
Principal contractors and clients who need SSIP
CHAS Advanced
What it covers
SSIP plus additional business compliance modules, meeting the former PAS 91 framework
Often requested by
Clients and procurement teams wanting broader prequalification
CHAS Elite
What it covers
The Common Assessment Standard, covering 13 areas including financial standing, environmental management, quality, modern slavery and information security
Often requested by
Larger contractors and public sector buyers
CHAS Elite covers quality and environmental management.
If you’re also working towards ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, our ISO implementation support can help you build both together.
Preparing Your Evidence
What Documents Do You Need for a CHAS Application?
The documents required for a CHAS assessment depend on your membership level, business size, work activities and contractor responsibilities. A small office-based company will not be expected to provide the same evidence as a construction contractor managing employees, subcontractors, machinery and higher-risk site work.
Practical support for safer businesses
Health and Safety Policy
A current policy setting out your commitment, who is responsible for what and how risks are managed. It should be written for your business, not copied from a template.
Risk Assessments and Method Statements
Assessments showing hazards have been identified and sensible controls are in place, plus method statements for higher risk or sequenced work.
Training and Competence Records
Certificates, inductions, toolbox talks and training matrices showing your team is competent for the work they do.
Inspection, Maintenance and Testing Records
Records of workplace inspections, plant checks, lifting equipment examinations, electrical testing and maintenance.
Insurance Information
An insurance schedule or broker’s letter showing policy type, level of cover and expiry date. Your cover should also meet your client’s requirements.
Construction and Site Management Evidence
For contractors, this can include construction phase plans, site inspection records, subcontractor arrangements and COSHH procedures.
Renewals and Assessor Feedback
Help With CHAS Renewals and Returned Applications
CHAS compliance is not permanent. Assessments are renewed periodically, and time-sensitive evidence such as insurance certificates, company policies and risk assessments must remain current. Leaving the review until documents have expired can create gaps in your compliance status and affect your ability to provide valid evidence to clients or procurement teams.
A&T Consultancy provides CHAS renewal support for businesses that need to update their evidence, address assessor comments or resubmit an application that has been returned for further information.
Preparing for a CHAS Renewal
CHAS compliance needs renewing, and a renewal should be more than uploading last year’s files again. We check your evidence still matches your current team, work and insurance.
Review current documents
Replace expired evidence
Reflect changes within the business
Complete a final check before submission
To keep your evidence current all year round, take a look at our retained health and safety support
Responding to Assessor Feedback
When CHAS requests further information, the comments can be reviewed through the contractor portal. A&T Consultancy can help interpret what has been requested, identify the evidence that may answer the point and prepare a clear response for resubmission.
CHAS currently states that further-information requests normally carry a two-week deadline. Responses can be added beneath the assessor’s request in the portal, so it is important to deal with each comment directly rather than simply uploading unrelated documents.
Two week deadline
Respond within two weeks to assessor requests for further information
Returned or Closed Applications
A returned application usually means evidence was missing, out of date or didn’t clearly back up an answer. We help you work out exactly what the assessor needs and respond properly.
Review assessor comments
Identify the missing evidence
Prepare a direct response
Check the applicable resubmission deadline
Keeping Evidence Ready for Future Assessments
Once compliance has been confirmed, key expiry dates and document reviews should be monitored rather than left until the next renewal notice. The VeriforceONE portal allows members to monitor their status, upload documentation, access assessor feedback and download certificates.
A&T Consultancy can also help businesses establish a more reliable document-review process where CHAS evidence forms part of wider contractor, client or tender requirements.
Need support with your CHAS renewal or a returned application?
A&T Consultancy can review your evidence, respond to assessor feedback and help keep your CHAS compliance on track.
Who CHAS Is For
Which Businesses May Need CHAS Accreditation?
CHAS isn’t just for builders. You’re most likely to need it when a client, principal contractor or procurement team asks for it.
Contractors Joining an Approved Supply Chain
Main contractors often require current CHAS before adding subcontractors to an approved supplier list.
Businesses Tendering for Contracts
Tender documents may ask for CHAS, SSIP or the Common Assessment Standard, so check which one before you apply.
Small Businesses and Sole Traders
Smaller firms can apply too, with evidence scaled to the size of the business.
Construction and Higher Risk Trades
Construction, engineering, maintenance and facilities firms often need to show how they control site, equipment and subcontractor risks.
Existing Client Requirements
Sometimes CHAS is needed to stay on an existing client’s supply chain, so confirm their deadline and required level early.
Areas We Cover
CHAS Support for Contractors Across Newcastle and the North East
A&T Consultancy helps contractors across Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Gateshead prepare for CHAS accreditation. Many of our clients are local trades and construction firms working on sites throughout the region, where CHAS is often required to join an approved supplier list or tender for work.
Because CHAS applications are completed through an online portal, most of the support can be handled remotely, wherever your business is based. Where it helps, we can also visit your premises or site to review how your health and safety arrangements work in practice, so your evidence reflects what actually happens day to day.
Call Now For a Consultation
0333 339 4551
Locations
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- South Tyneside
- Gateshead
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Our Health & Safety Consultancy Services
How long does CHAS accreditation take?
Most businesses can achieve CHAS accreditation within a few weeks. Once submitted, CHAS usually assesses quickly, so most of the time goes into preparing your evidence. If your documents are already up to date, it can be much faster. We review what you hold first, so you get a realistic timescale from day one.
Is the CHAS membership fee included in your support?
No. The CHAS membership fee is paid directly to CHAS and depends on your package and business size. Our fee covers the support itself, such as document reviews, preparing evidence and handling assessor feedback. We can also confirm which package your client needs, so you don’t pay for more than necessary.
Do I need CHAS if I already hold another SSIP accreditation?
Not always. SSIP schemes recognise each other, so first ask your client if they’ll accept what you already hold. If they specifically want CHAS, the Deem to Satisfy route can recognise your existing assessment, which is usually quicker and cheaper. Higher packages like Advanced or Elite may still need extra modules.
What happens if my CHAS assessment fails or is returned?
A returned application isn’t a failure. The assessor will ask for more information, and you normally have two weeks to respond. Most returns come down to missing or out of date evidence. We review the assessor’s comments, find exactly what’s missing and help you send a clear response first time.
Can you speak to the CHAS assessor on my behalf?
We can handle most of it for you. Feedback comes through your CHAS portal, so we review it, prepare the responses and evidence, and can join any calls with you. You stay in control of your account while we take care of the detail.
Do you offer fixed fees for CHAS support?
Yes. Once we’ve reviewed your existing documents and confirmed the CHAS package you need, we agree a fixed fee before any work starts. You know the full cost upfront, with no hourly charges building up in the background.
Contact Us
Ready to Get Help With Your CHAS Application?
Tell us what your client has asked for. We’ll review the evidence you already hold and explain the support you need, whether it’s a new application, a renewal or a returned assessment.