Skip to content
TenderReady

Construction Accreditation Requirements: What Tier 1 Contractors Actually Check

· Last reviewed: 23 February 2026

When a Tier 1 contractor reviews your prequalification submission — or when an assessor from CHAS, Constructionline, or SafeContractor evaluates your application — they are typically working through a structured checklist of documentation areas. These areas are broadly consistent across the major schemes and commonly align to the SSIP Common Assessment Standard and PAS 91 framework.

Understanding what is commonly checked, what "good" looks like at SME scale, and where businesses most often fall short gives you a significant advantage. This guide covers the eight core documentation areas that form the backbone of most construction prequalification assessments.

1. Health and Safety Policy

Assessors expect a policy that is signed by a director, dated and reviewed within the last 12 months, specific to your business activities (not a generic template), and structured in three parts: a general statement of intent, the organisation of responsibilities naming individuals, and practical arrangements for implementation.

What good looks like: For a 15-person groundworks contractor, the policy references the specific hazards of groundworks (excavation, underground services, working near traffic), names the site supervisor responsible for day-to-day safety, and describes the practical arrangements — toolbox talks, site inductions, PPE provision, incident reporting — that the business actually uses.

Common gaps: Generic policies purchased online. Policies referencing activities the business does not carry out (or omitting activities it does). Policies signed by someone who has left the business or last reviewed more than 12 months ago.

2. Risk Assessments

Activity-specific risk assessments covering the significant hazards associated with your operations. Assessors look for evidence that you have systematically identified what could cause harm, who might be harmed, and what control measures are in place, following the HSE five-step process.

What good looks like: A roofing contractor with 10 employees should have assessments for working at height, manual handling, power tools, adverse weather, and asbestos exposure. Each should identify specific controls — not just "wear PPE" but "operatives to use Class 3 edge protection on all roof perimeters above 2 metres." Evidence of regular review is essential.

Common gaps: Assessments covering "construction work" generically rather than specific activities. Hazards identified but with vague controls. No evidence of review or update. Missing assessments for higher-risk operations like confined space entry.

3. Method Statements and RAMS

RAMS describe how specific tasks will be carried out safely, translating risk assessment controls into a practical, step-by-step sequence of work. For high-risk activities, these are essential for both prequalification and site-level compliance.

What good looks like: Template RAMS for your core activities, adapted for each project. A scaffolding erection method statement covering scope, sequence, competence requirements, PPE, equipment inspection, exclusion zones, and emergency arrangements. Assessors accept that SMEs use templates — but they look for evidence of project-specific adaptation and workforce communication (briefing sign-off sheets).

Common gaps: Method statements that duplicate risk assessments rather than providing operational instructions. RAMS never adapted for specific sites. No evidence of communication to operatives.

4. Insurance

Current certificates for employers' liability (minimum £5 million legally, though most Tier 1 contractors require £10 million), public liability (typically £5-10 million), and professional indemnity where you provide design or advisory services.

What good looks like: Current certificates with adequate cover, continuous with no gaps between policy periods, and cover levels that meet or exceed client-specific requirements.

Use our Construction Insurance Requirements Calculator to check whether your cover aligns to common client requirements.

Common gaps: Expired certificates (the most common and most avoidable issue). Cover levels below client minimums. Missing professional indemnity where the business provides design input, even incidentally.

5. Training Records

Assessors look for CSCS cards for all operatives, SMSTS for site managers, SSSTS for supervisors, trade-specific qualifications (IPAF, PASMA, CPCS, JIB, Gas Safe), health and safety awareness training (asbestos awareness, manual handling, working at height), and adequate first aid provision.

What good looks like: A training matrix — even a well-maintained spreadsheet — showing every employee, their required competences, qualifications held, and expiry dates. Evidence of ongoing training beyond formal qualifications: toolbox talk records, CPD attendance, and safety briefing sign-off sheets.

Common gaps: No centralised training record. Expired CSCS cards. Missing supervisory qualifications. No evidence of ongoing training or toolbox talks. Trade-specific gaps such as operatives using powered access without valid IPAF certification.

6. Environmental Policy

A written environmental policy appropriate to your scale. This does not need ISO 14001 certification for SMEs, but assessors look for a director-signed policy statement, identification of your environmental impacts (waste, noise, dust, water pollution, energy), practical measures to minimise those impacts, waste management procedures including duty of care for waste transfer, and evidence of workforce environmental awareness.

What good looks like: A clear policy acknowledging the specific environmental impacts of your operations. A demolition contractor would cover dust suppression, noise management, waste segregation, and contaminated materials. An electrical contractor would focus on waste cable, packaging, and energy use.

Common gaps: No environmental policy at all (still common among smaller contractors). Generic policies that do not reference actual impacts. No waste management procedures or waste transfer notes.

7. Equal Opportunities Policy

A written policy demonstrating commitment to fair treatment in employment and recruitment, covering all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. Assessors look for evidence of fair recruitment practices, a grievance procedure for discrimination complaints, and manager awareness.

What good looks like: A clear, concise policy reflecting your business. You do not need a dedicated diversity team — but you do need a clear commitment, evidence that recruitment decisions are based on competence, and a process for handling complaints. If you employ subcontractors or agency workers, the policy should extend through your supply chain.

Common gaps: No written policy. A policy listing protected characteristics without practical implementation arrangements. No complaints procedure linked to the policy.

8. Modern Slavery Statement

Although the Modern Slavery Act 2015 only mandates statements for businesses with turnover above £36 million, accreditation bodies and Tier 1 contractors increasingly expect all supply chain partners to demonstrate awareness and due diligence.

What good looks like: A proportionate statement acknowledging modern slavery risks in construction, describing practical steps — verifying right-to-work documentation, using only licensed gangmasters where applicable, checking subcontractor employment practices — and naming the person responsible for oversight.

Common gaps: No statement at all (many SMEs assume it does not apply below the threshold). Statements with no practical measures. No process for verifying employment status of subcontracted or agency labour.

Pulling It All Together

These eight areas form an interconnected management system, not independent silos. Your health and safety policy references your risk assessments. Your RAMS flow from those assessments. Your training records demonstrate the competence to implement your RAMS. Your insurance provides the financial backstop.

Assessors are looking for coherence as much as completeness. A business with all eight areas covered but obvious inconsistencies — different employee numbers in different documents, policies referencing procedures not followed — raises more concerns than one with a minor gap that demonstrates genuine engagement.

Next Steps

  1. Audit your documentation against each area above using our Health & Safety Documentation Checklist.
  2. Check your insurance cover against common client requirements using our Construction Insurance Requirements Calculator.
  3. Score your readiness with our Construction Accreditation Readiness Scorer before applying to any scheme.

For a broader overview of the prequalification process, see our Complete Guide to Construction Supplier Prequalification in the UK.

Sources and References

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and common industry practice. TenderReady is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any named accreditation body, scheme, or Tier 1 contractor. Requirements are subject to change — always verify current details with the relevant scheme or client directly.