If you’ve been looking into hiring a contractor, then you might have seen them advertise having CHAS – the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. But what exactly is CHAS and why is it so important? Here, the experts at Warwickshire Decorating Contracts discuss.
As mentioned, CHAS stands for the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. In short, it’s a pre-qualification scheme that assesses the health and safety standards of contractors and service providers within the UK.
Established in 1997, the aim of CHAS is to improve health and safety standards across all industries by providing a benchmark for contractors and service providers.
Overall, CHAS plays a key role in improving health and safety standards across all industries within the UK.
As well as CHAS being important for clients, it’s also important for contractors. After all, CHAS could ultimately be the difference between being hired and not. Here are some of the benefits of CHAS accreditation for a contractor:
What is CHAS?
As mentioned, CHAS stands for the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. In short, it’s a pre-qualification scheme that assesses the health and safety standards of contractors and service providers within the UK.
Established in 1997, the aim of CHAS is to improve health and safety standards across all industries by providing a benchmark for contractors and service providers.
Overall, CHAS plays a key role in improving health and safety standards across all industries within the UK.
How do contractors receive CHAS accreditation?
To receive CHAS accreditation, contractors must undergo a rigorous assessment of their health and safety policies, procedures and practices. This covers a range of areas including the likes of risk assessments, training, equipment and management systems. During the assessment, contractors must demonstrate compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, along with industry best practices. Whatsmore, to gain CHAS accreditation, contractors must have a health and safety management system in place that is regularly reviewed and updated.Why is having a CHAS important?
For clients, there are multiple benefits to working with a contractor that is CHAS-accredited contractors, these include:- It ensures that the contractor has been assessed against national standards
- It provides assurance that the contractor is competent and capable of carrying out work safely
- It helps to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents on site, which in turn, can help to prevent unnecessary costs and delays
- It demonstrates a commitment to health and safety from the contractor
What are the benefits of CHAS for a contractor?
As well as CHAS being important for clients, it’s also important for contractors. After all, CHAS could ultimately be the difference between being hired and not. Here are some of the benefits of CHAS accreditation for a contractor:
- As mentioned, having CHAS accreditation puts a contractor one step ahead of the competition – and can be the difference between being hired or not
- Some clients, for example, businesses and organisations, who are hiring contractors, require them to be CHAS-accredited
- Having CHAS accreditation ensures the safety of all those on site remains a priority
- By following best practices and having a robust health and safety management system, contractors can identify and mitigate risks before they become an issue
- CHAS accreditation can help improve the reputation of a contractor
- Some clients might be more likely to work with contractors that have a good track record of health and safety – and having CHAS accreditation verifies this
