What Is SSIP Accreditation? | CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor & Constructionline Explained

Overview

If you work as a contractor or supplier in the UK, you’ve probably heard of SSIP. Nevertheless, what exactly is it, and why does everyone seem to need it? This Risk Fluent guide breaks down:

• What SSIP accreditation means
• How it works
• Its pros and cons
• What you should watch out for

Let’s make health and safety accreditations easy to understand.

What Is SSIP Accreditation? | CHAS, SMAS, SafeContractor & Constructionline Explained

SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. It’s not a single assessment but an umbrella group that brings together many different safety-checking bodies.

The idea is simple. Instead of proving your health and safety standards repeatedly to every client, SSIP gets you checked once by an approved provider. That result can then be shared with other clients, saving everyone time and money.

Why Was SSIP Created?

Before SSIP, contractors had to fill in endless forms and send the same safety documents to dozens of clients. It was a huge waste of time.

SSIP was created to fix that. All SSIP-approved schemes check contractors against one shared core set of safety standards, called the core criteria. This makes things fairer, simpler, and cheaper for both contractors and clients.

How SSIP Works

Here’s how the process usually goes:

1. Choose a Scheme

You pick a member scheme such as CHAS, SafeContractor, or Constructionline.

2. Submit Your Documents

Upload your health and safety information to their portal.

3. Assessment

The scheme reviews your paperwork against the SSIP core criteria.

4. Certification

If you meet the standards, you get your certificate.

5. Mutual Recognition

Other SSIP schemes accept that certificate through a system called Deem to Satisfy.

In short, once you’re approved by one SSIP body, others should accept it too, at least in theory.

The Benefits of SSIP

• Saves Time and Money: No more repeating the same forms for every client.
• Consistency: Everyone follows the same safety standards.
• Confidence: Clients can trust that contractors meet a basic safety level.
• Less Admin: Both buyers and suppliers spend less time on paperwork.

The Challenges and Risks

While SSIP is a great idea, it’s not perfect.

1. It’s Only a Starting Point

SSIP checks that your company has good safety systems, but it doesn’t check every site or job. You still need to do your own risk assessments and method statements.

2. Quality Varies

Not all assessors are equal. Some are experienced professionals, while others just follow tick-boxes. This can lead to unfair or inconsistent results.

3. Becoming Too Commercial

Many schemes now compete for business. Some add extra questions to stand out, which means contractors end up doing more work again, exactly what SSIP was meant to prevent!

4. Tick-Box Culture

Too many people treat SSIP as a badge rather than a real check of safety. Generic documents don’t make a company safe. Real, working systems do.

Popular SSIP Schemes

Here are a few well-known examples:

• CHAS – Often seen as quick and affordable.
• SMAS Worksafe – Straightforward and balanced.
• SafeContractor – Covers more than safety, such as environment and modern slavery.
• Constructionline – Popular with larger companies. It can be detailed and demanding.
• Achilles – Known for on-site audits and close alignment with ISO 45001.

For most contractors, SafeContractor and Constructionline are the most requested by large clients.

What SSIP Looks For

Every SSIP member scheme checks your organisation against similar key areas, including:

• Health and Safety Policy – Clear responsibilities and signed statements.
• Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMs) –  How you manage hazards on each job.
• Legal Compliance – Showing you follow UK safety laws.
• Training and Competence – Proving your team knows what they’re doing.
• Monitoring and Auditing – Keeping records of checks and improvements.
• Incident Reporting –  Showing how you handle and learn from accidents.
• Emergency Plans – Fire, first aid, and evacuation procedures.
• Insurance and CDM Duties – Evidence that you’re covered and compliant.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a contractor working with bigger clients, you will need SSIP accreditation. Pick the scheme your main clients prefer, and don’t rush into getting several unless you must.

Most importantly, remember this: paperwork doesn’t keep people safe, good practice does. Your documents must reflect what really happens on site.

If you need guidance with SSIP, health and safety systems, or risk assessments, contact Risk Fluent. We’re here to make compliance practical and clear.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)