Cleaning News Archive Summer 2009

Vacman Cleaning Ltd are delighted to announce that the company's health & safety systems and procedures have been assessed through the Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme and the company now has CHAS accreditation.

CHAS is a non-commercial scheme available to suppliers (those who provide goods and services) and to organisations (buyers) looking for suitably competent suppliers. CHAS membership includes the public sectors: health trusts, emergency services and government departments and large private companies who have a supply chain, for example Royal Mail Group, Kier and Mitie Group.

There are three stages in the assessment process from the time a supplier applies for a CHAS assessment, through to working for a buyer:

1. The CHAS assessment: if a supplier passes this assessment they have shown they can adequately manage health and safety.
2. The employer (buyer) checks a supplier has the ability, experience and resources to carry out the specific work they have applied to do. The buyer will look at things like method statements, specific risk assessments, references, examples of previous similar work, training and available resources.
3. Monitoring the supplier when they are doing the work. Buyers will check suppliers are managing the work safely, carrying out the method statements properly, have enough resources, liaising properly, managing the site effectively and providing enough supervision.

The level of assessment at stages 2 and 3 are normally proportionate to the level of risk they carry. Buyers have a responsibility to monitor suppliers, making sure they are working safely, in order to protect staff and everyone who may be affected by the work.

View our CHAS certificate