For many businesses, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment is a top priority. The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) plays a crucial role in this process by providing a standardised approach to health and safety compliance in the UK.
If you're considering or required to go through the CHAS application process, you are in the right place. Throughout this blog, we will be discussing what CHAS is and what the application process includes.
For more information, read on!
Understanding CHAS
Before diving into the application process, it's essential to have a brief understanding of the significance of CHAS assessments.
Established to assess the health and safety practices of contractors and suppliers, CHAS certification demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high standards in the workplace.
Many organisations, especially in the construction industry, require their contractors to be CHAS accredited to ensure a safe working environment for everyone involved. There are over 75,000 CHAS members and more than 1000 public and private sector bodies.
Step One: Complete the Application Form
The first stage of the CHAS application process involves completing an application form. This form requires thorough details about your company, including its structure, policies, and procedures related to health and safety.
Be prepared to provide information on your risk management assessments, method statements, and other relevant documentation.
Step Two: Include Your Health and Safety Policy
One critical element of the CHAS application is a well-defined Health and Safety policy. This policy should outline your commitment to maintaining a safe workplace, the responsibilities of key personnel, and the procedures in place for identifying and mitigating risks.
You must ensure that your policy aligns with the current health and safety regulations in the UK.
Step 3: Provide Documentation of Your Risk Assessments and Method Statements
The CHAS accreditation comes with a range of benefits and requires documentation of your risk assessments and method statements. These documents should detail how your company identifies potential risks, assesses them, and outlines the methods employed to control and mitigate these risks.
Be thorough and specific in your documentation to demonstrate a robust understanding of the potential hazards associated with your operations.
Step 4: Demonstrate Efficient Training and Competence
Demonstrating that your employees are adequately trained and competent is a key aspect of the CHAS application.
Provide evidence of relevant training certifications for your staff, showcasing their competence in handling tasks safely. This may include certifications in first aid, equipment operation, and other job-specific training.
Step 5: Include Details About Accident and Incident Reporting
CHAS places a strong emphasis on companies having effective systems in place for reporting accidents and incidents.
Your application should include details on how your company records and investigates accidents and incidents, as well as the measures taken to prevent their recurrence.
Step 6: Express Your Approach to Environmental Management
While the primary focus of CHAS is on health and safety, awareness of environmental impacts is also important.
Ensure that your application addresses your company's approach to environmental management, including waste disposal and sustainable practices where applicable.
Step 7: Include Third Party Accreditations
CHAS recognises certain third party accreditations, such as ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management. If your company holds any relevant accreditations, include them in your application to strengthen your case.
Step 8: Submission and Review
Once you have completed the application form and collected all required documentation, submit your application through the CHAS online portal.
A member of our team will then review your submission, assessing whether your company meets the necessary health and safety standards.
Assessment Outcome
Following the review process, CHAS will communicate the outcome of your assessment. If successful, you will receive CHAS accreditation, which is typically valid for 12 months.
In the case of any faults or areas of improvement identified during the assessment, CHAS will provide feedback and guidance on how to address these issues.
How Can Beaconrisk Help You With CHAS?
CHAS accreditation is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to health and safety excellence. Regularly review and update your policies, procedures, and documentation to ensure they remain in line with the latest regulations and industry best practices.
Navigating the CHAS application process may seem daunting, but with careful attention to detail and a commitment to health and safety, your company can achieve and maintain its CHAS registration.
By understanding the importance of each step in the process and providing thorough documentation, you not only meet the CHAS standards but also contribute to a safer and healthier working environment for your employees and those around you.
Here at Beaconrisk, we offer a range of courses, including a health and safety e-learning course and a wide range of accreditation support services including CHAS. We understand that the accreditation process can be extremely stressful and time-consuming, as CHAS membership requires documentation and evidence.
However, we provide an efficient CHAS support service to allow you to continue with what you do best, running your business.
We will assign you your own dedicated health and safety consultant who will manage, complete and submit application forms on your behalf. So, if you feel like you are struggling to find the time to complete CHAS standard forms, then we can help!