Guide
How to pass CHAS first time
Most first submissions are not refused because the business is unsafe. They are referred because the paperwork is incomplete, inconsistent or out of date. Here is how to avoid that.
The short answer
You pass CHAS first time by submitting documents that are complete, current, consistent and clearly about your business. That means a signed policy dated within the last twelve months, risk assessments and method statements for the work you actually do, in-date training records, correct insurance, and a clear response to every core criterion the assessor checks. The single biggest cause of a referral is documents that still read like generic templates.
Why applications get referred
The common reasons a submission is delayed or referred are well established: documents missing, policies unsigned or out of date, risk assessments and method statements that are not suitable for the work, incomplete training records, incorrect insurance documents, and assessor queries that are not answered quickly. A generic or outdated policy is one of the most common single reasons a business fails the assessment.
The steps that get you through
- Sign and date the policy. The statement of intent must be signed by your most senior person and dated within the last twelve months. An unsigned or out-of-date policy is an immediate problem.
- Make every document about your business. Replace all placeholders, delete work you do not do, and add anything you do that is missing. A pack that describes work you never carry out is as much a red flag as one that misses work you do.
- Match your risk assessments to your trade. Assessors expect site or project specific risk assessments and method statements created within the last twelve months, plus COSHH assessments if you use hazardous substances.
- Fill the records with real data. Training records must be in date and backed by certificates. Have them ready to upload.
- Answer every criterion. Do not leave monitoring, consultation, subcontractor checks, co-operation or welfare silent. If one does not apply, say so and why.
- Get your insurance and enforcement history right. Upload current employers' and public liability certificates, and answer the accident and enforcement questions truthfully, since the scheme verifies enforcement against the HSE public register.
- Respond to queries fast. If the assessor asks for something, a quick, complete reply is often the difference between a same-week pass and a drawn-out referral.
For electrical contractors
Electrician CHAS pack · £95
Every document a CHAS Standard assessor checks, written for electricians and mapped criterion by criterion, so nothing is missing when you submit.
Cross-check before you submit
Read the whole submission through once as a set. Your policy, risk assessments, COSHH assessments and supporting statements must describe the same business with no contradictions. A policy that names activities your method statements do not cover, or the reverse, is exactly the kind of inconsistency an assessor picks up. Consistency across the pack is what makes it read as a real management system rather than a download.
Related guides
See why CHAS applications fail, the full CHAS requirements, and how to fill out your pack step by step.
Common questions
Why do CHAS applications get referred?
Usually because documents are missing, the policy is unsigned or out of date, risk assessments or method statements are not suitable for the work, training records are incomplete, insurance is incorrect, or assessor queries are answered too slowly. A generic or outdated policy is one of the most common reasons.
How do I make sure my CHAS pack passes?
Sign and date the policy within the last twelve months, make every document specific to your business, match your risk assessments to your trade, fill records with real in-date data, answer every core criterion, get insurance and enforcement answers right, and cross-check the whole pack for consistency before submitting.
How long does a CHAS assessment take?
Once you submit a complete application, an assessor reviews it and either approves it or raises queries. Responding quickly and completely to any queries is the main thing within your control that keeps the timeline short.
What is the most common CHAS mistake?
Submitting documents that still read like generic templates. Assessors can tell at a glance when a policy has been downloaded and left generic, and it is a frequent cause of referral.