CHAS Evidence Guide: Proving Your Arrangements Work
Most CHAS applications aren't held up by missing documents. They're held up because the documents don't show that anything actually happens. A health and safety policy tells an assessor what you intend to do. Evidence shows them you're doing it. This guide explains the difference and what to have ready in each area before you submit.
Prepared by Morgan Compliance Group · Published 14 October 2026 · Updated 14 October 2026
Who it's for
UK contractors and suppliers preparing a first CHAS application, a renewal or a response to an assessor query, at Standard, Advanced or Elite level.
Not sure where you stand? Try our free CHAS Readiness Checker.
Documents tell an assessor what you intend. Evidence shows what you do.
Think of every area of your CHAS submission as four layers. Most businesses have the first. Assessors are looking for all four.
| Level | What it is | Example: risk assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Policy | A signed statement of what the business commits to | "We will assess the risks of our work and put controls in place." |
| 2. Arrangements | Who does what, how and when | The supervisor completes a risk assessment before each new job; the director reviews them annually |
| 3. Implementation | The arrangements actually carried out | Risk assessments exist for your real activities, with your company name, current dates and named people |
| 4. Evidence | Records that prove it happened | Signed briefing sheets showing workers were told the controls; a review dated within the last year |
Desktop audits and site-based audits
Under the Common Assessment Standard (the standard behind CHAS Elite), your answers are checked in one of two ways. A desktop audit checks what you upload, remotely. A site-based audit sends an auditor to your premises to see your policies being put into practice. Either way, your documents have to show implementation on their own: dated records, signatures, real job names and review dates are what turn a document from a promise into proof.
Evidence by area
Which areas apply depends on your CHAS level, your activities and the certificates you hold. The questionnaire expands or shrinks based on your answers, so not every business sees every area.
Health and safety policy
The document: Policy setting out H&S responsibilities across the company
What assessors expect to see: Approved by a director and reviewed within the last 12 months; a named director ultimately responsible for H&S. Fewer than 5 employees: a written statement can be enough.
Risk assessments and safe systems of work
The document: Arrangements for identifying hazards and controlling risks
What assessors expect to see: Sample risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements for your real activities. Principal contractors: a sample construction phase plan.
Download our editable Risk Assessment Template.
Rate likelihood and severity with our 5 x 5 Risk Matrix Calculator.
Competent advice
The document: Named source of H&S advice
What assessors expect to see: The adviser's name and competency details, plus two examples from the last 12 months of advice given and the action taken.
Training and competence
The document: Training arrangements and records
What assessors expect to see: Training records, induction records, toolbox talk examples and legally required training (for example asbestos awareness); qualifications for key post holders; CSCS cards for site workers.
Monitoring, audit and review
The document: Arrangements to check and improve H&S performance
What assessors expect to see: Recent monitoring: audits, reports to senior managers or site inspection reports.
Workforce consultation
The document: Arrangements for involving the workforce
What assessors expect to see: Evidence no more than 12 months old, such as H&S committee records or named safety representatives. Fewer than 5 employees: describe how you consult.
Accidents and incidents
The document: Arrangements to record, investigate and follow up
What assessors expect to see: Records of your last two accidents or incidents and the action taken; any enforcement action in the last five years and what you did about it.
Subcontractors
The document: Arrangements to check subcontractor competence
What assessors expect to see: Written procedure, documented examples of subcontractor assessments and how you monitor their performance.
Occupational health
The document: Arrangements covering health, including mental health and fatigue
What assessors expect to see: An occupational health policy or similar; health surveillance where your work requires it.
Environmental
The document: Environmental management policy and arrangements
What assessors expect to see: Waste carrier licence if you carry waste; carbon reduction plan where asked; supply chain and training arrangements.
Quality
The document: Quality management policy and arrangements
What assessors expect to see: Named person responsible for quality; non-conformance and complaint records; subcontractor quality controls.
Governance policies
The document: Anti-bribery, whistleblowing, modern slavery, fairness inclusion and respect, anti-bullying
What assessors expect to see: Each approved by a director and reviewed within the last 12 months.
Insurance
The document: Certificates, schedules or broker letters
What assessors expect to see: Each must show the policy number, limit, excess and expiry date.
Based on the Build UK Common Assessment Standard question set, Version 5, 1 July 2025. Build UK.
Common reasons assessors come back with questions
- Out-of-date reviews: policies not approved or reviewed within the last 12 months.
- Generic templates: documents that describe work you don't do, or name no real people.
- Wrong name: policies or insurance in a trading name, an old company name or someone else's name.
- Missing implementation: a procedure with no records showing it's been followed.
- Old evidence: consultation or monitoring records older than 12 months.
- Incomplete insurance evidence: certificates without the policy number, limit, excess or expiry date.
- Mismatched roles: claiming a CDM dutyholder role, such as principal contractor, without the matching evidence.
- Inconsistency: the organisation chart, policy and training matrix name different people for the same role.
A five-minute check before you press submit
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This resource is general guidance. Adapt it to your own business, activities and risks.
Not sure your evidence will stand up?
We'll review what you have against what assessors expect, tell you exactly where the gaps are and help you close them before you submit. If you've already had an assessor query, send us the wording and we'll help you understand what's being asked for.
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