CHAS, Constructionline and SafeContractor: policies and documents checklist

How the schemes fit together

• ●SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is the umbrella body for health and safety assessment schemes. Member schemes assess against the same SSIP Core Criteria, and a current certificate from one registered member can usually be recognised by another through "Deem to Satisfy". See SSIP policies explained.
• ●The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) is Build UK's industry pre-qualification standard, covering much more than health and safety. It is certified once a year by a Recognised Assessment Body. Government guidance (PPN 03/24) told public bodies to use it for works pre-qualification in place of PAS 91, which BSI withdrew in 2023.
• ●Scheme tiers. CHAS and Constructionline offer several levels. Build UK lists CHAS Elite (CAS) and Constructionline Gold as desktop CAS certifications, with CHAS Elite (CAS) Assured and Constructionline Platinum as the site-based versions. SafeContractor (Alcumus) is an SSIP member scheme. Check each scheme's current packages, as names and content change.

Documents for the health and safety (SSIP) assessment

• ●Health and safety policy with a statement of intent signed by the managing director (or equivalent) and dated within the last 12 months, plus responsibilities and arrangements.
• ●Site or project-specific risk assessments and method statements for the work categories you're assessed for, usually from the last 12 months.
• ●COSHH assessments if you use hazardous substances.
• ●Evidence of competent health and safety advice (in-house or external).
• ●Training and competence records and trade qualifications.
• ●Accident and incident reporting arrangements, and any enforcement action declared.
• ●Arrangements for selecting and managing subcontractors, workforce consultation, welfare and monitoring.
• ●Employer's and public liability insurance certificates.
• ●Activity-specific procedures where relevant, such as working at height, asbestos, lone working or hot works.

Extra documents for the Common Assessment Standard

The CAS question set (Version 5, July 2025) has ten sections: identity, financial, corporate and professional standing, health and safety, environmental, quality, building safety, fairness, inclusion and respect, information security and information management. Documents it can ask for include:

• ●Environmental policy (or ISO 14001 / EMAS certificate) and, where relevant, carbon reporting and a Carbon Reduction Plan.
• ●Quality management policy (or ISO 9001 certificate). See quality policy for tenders.
• ●Anti-bribery and corruption policy and a modern slavery statement or policy, with supply-chain checks.
• ●An equality / fairness, inclusion and respect policy (EDI) and an anti-bullying and harassment policy.
• ●Information security and data protection arrangements, plus records management.
• ●CSR or ESG policy, accounts, and building safety competence arrangements if you work within the Building Safety Act.

Tips for passing first time

• ●Make sure every policy is in your company name, signed by a director, dated and consistent with how you actually work. Assessors check dates.
• ●Use real, recent risk assessments and method statements for the work categories you select, not generic examples.
• ●If a buyer names a specific scheme, it is usually simplest to take that scheme's full assessment, then use Deem to Satisfy for others.
• ●Don't pay for the CAS more than once: certification from one Recognised Assessment Body can be shared with the others.
• ●Keep a renewal calendar: assessments are annual.

Get your documents ready

Our Construction policy bundle and complete bundle cover the policies above, branded with your logo, in PDF and Word. Check which ones your next bid needs with the free tender policy checker, or try a free tailored Whistleblowing policy first. Note: a scheme assessment checks your whole system, not just documents, and we're not affiliated with any scheme.

Frequently asked questions