| CHAS Accreditation is a very important step in | | | | the safety standards surrounding it. Lack of |
| your health and safety training. The acronym | | | | concern for electrical safety can lead to death or |
| CHAS refers to the Contractors Health and | | | | dismemberment in certain situations. Not only is it |
| Safety Scheme. This is of vital importance to the | | | | important for you to have this training and this |
| safe practice of contractors all over the U.K. You | | | | propensity to respect electricity, you will likely |
| won't wish to run a business or do business | | | | encounter many situations involving it when |
| without it, but if you are looking to complete | | | | seeking out your CHAS Accreditation. The reason |
| CHAS Accreditation, make sure you don't fall | | | | for this, of course, is that electricity is one of our |
| victim to some of the overlooked pitfalls. While | | | | most vital resources. But it's also one of our most |
| everyone is subject to general health and safety | | | | dangerous, if mismanaged. |
| standards, it is usually the more specific, more | | | | Work Equipment Procedures: Don't take proper |
| specialized areas that give one fits when earning | | | | work equipment procedures for granted. You will |
| their CHAS Accreditation. So without further ado, | | | | be surprised at the little things that you DON'T |
| make sure that you pay attention to these five | | | | know, which can keep you from obtaining CHAS |
| areas when working towards your own: | | | | Accreditation. |
| Asbestos Awareness Training and Management: | | | | Personal Protective Equipment: Just like work |
| Asbestos is one of the more well-known | | | | equipment procedures are often overlooked |
| hazardous materials. Years ago it was common | | | | because of their commonality, so, too, is |
| practice to include it in building projects. Nowadays | | | | knowledge of personal protective equipment. |
| more and more places are trying to move away | | | | Don't take your CHAS Accreditation for granted. |
| from its use and acceptance because it has been | | | | Brush over matters concerning personal |
| known to cause terminal diseases such as lung | | | | protective equipment, so you don't get blindsided |
| cancer. Even though standards are much stricter, | | | | by questions that you should, by all accounts, |
| there is still a good chance you will come across | | | | know the answers to. |
| asbestos in the contractors profession. For the | | | | Fire Emergency Procedures and Fire Risk |
| safety of yourself and for those who come after | | | | Assessments: People often take fire emergency |
| you, it pays to be aware of where asbestos may | | | | procedures for granted. After all, how many |
| be hiding, as well as how to manage the situation | | | | times has one had to deal with false alarms? |
| when you know it must be dealt with. | | | | CHAS Accreditation can be challenging to attain, |
| Electrical Safety and PAT Testing: Electrical | | | | but it's not impossible. Just be aware of the |
| know-how is complicated in and of itself, but you | | | | specifics, take it seriously, and in no time, you will |
| certainly don't want to be lax when it comes to | | | | be a safer contractor that people can trust. |