Guide
Common CHAS mistakes
Most applications are not refused for being unsafe. They are held up by a handful of avoidable errors. Here they are, with the fix for each.
The short answer
The mistakes that most often delay or refer a CHAS application are avoidable paperwork problems: an unsigned or out-of-date policy, generic documents that were never adapted, risk assessments that do not match the work, incomplete training records, incorrect insurance, and slow replies to assessor queries. None of them are about being an unsafe business. They are about the submission not clearly demonstrating what you already do.
The mistakes, and how to fix them
- Leaving the policy unsigned or out of date. Fix: sign the statement of intent and date it within the last twelve months.
- Submitting generic templates. Fix: adapt every document to your business, removing work you do not do and adding work you do.
- Risk assessments that do not match the trade. Fix: provide site or project specific assessments and method statements for the work you actually carry out.
- Thin or expired training records. Fix: include current, in-date records with the certificates behind them.
- Wrong or missing insurance. Fix: upload current employers' and public liability certificates.
- Leaving criteria silent. Fix: answer every core criterion, and where one does not apply, say so and why rather than leaving a gap.
- Slow query responses. Fix: reply quickly and completely when the assessor asks for something.
For electrical contractors
Electrician CHAS pack · £95
Every criterion covered, written for electricians, so the most common gaps are closed before you submit. You adapt the detail; the structure is already right.
The mistake behind the mistakes
Almost all of these come back to one thing: submitting documents that read like a download rather than a description of your business. An assessor works through the core criteria one at a time and can tell when a policy is generic, when a risk assessment describes someone else's work, or when a criterion has been left silent. The single most effective habit is to read your whole submission through once as a set, checking that it consistently describes the same business, before you send it.
Related guides
Read why applications fail, how to pass first time, and what assessors check.
Common questions
What is the most common CHAS mistake?
Submitting generic documents that were never adapted to your business. An assessor can tell when a policy is downloaded or a risk assessment describes someone else's work, and it is a frequent cause of referral.
Why does my CHAS application keep getting queried?
Usually because of avoidable paperwork problems: an unsigned or out-of-date policy, risk assessments that do not match your trade, incomplete training records, incorrect insurance, or a core criterion left unanswered. Fixing these before submitting resolves most queries.
How do I avoid CHAS mistakes?
Sign and date the policy, adapt every document to your business, match risk assessments to your trade, include current training records and insurance, answer every criterion, and read the whole submission through once for consistency before sending.
Do I need to answer criteria that do not apply?
Yes. Do not leave a criterion silent. If something genuinely does not apply to your business, say so and explain why, because an assessor queries a blank gap rather than assuming coverage.