UK Contractors Must Prove They Are 'COVID-Secure' Under New Measures

UK contractors must demonstrate that they have taken appropriate measures to address COVID-19, under new health and safety standards introduced by The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).

CHAS has added a Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) to their member packages, which is designed to help organisations that engage contractors to immediately identify whether they are COVID-19 secure.

Organisations have had to rapidly adapt their working practices to operate safely during the coronavirus outbreak, and contractors now have a way to verify that these adjustments have been made in line with the latest government and sector guidelines.

In order for a contractor to qualify as COVID-19 secure, they must confirm, and where appropriate, evidence that they have taken three key actions which include:

• Producing and putting in place COVID19 specific risk assessments, method statements and controls
• Sharing the risk assessment with staff (and online for organisations of over 50)
• Displaying a notice to confirm they have complied with government guidance

CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon noted that, during these times, it was important for organisations to verify their supply chain through an independent third party.

“We recognise that organisations are looking for reassurance that everyone within their supply chain is operating to the required COVID-19 secure standards but we also know it’s extremely difficult for organisations to perform these checks independently – particularly while running on skeleton staff.”

“The Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) makes it easy for CHAS contractors to qualify for work whilst giving CHAS clients immediate visibility of a contractor’s COVID-19 secure status.”