Beyond box-ticking: How SafeContractor audits really work

For many contractors, the word “audit” comes with assumptions, box-ticking, unnecessary admin, or being set up to fail. That isn’t how SafeContractor works. 

In this Q&A, our auditors share how SafeContractor’s dynamic question set is designed to reflect real-world work, adapt to different industries and business sizes, and support contractors without lowering standards. It offers a clearer picture of how we make compliance more proportionate, practical, and meaningful. 

How does SafeContractor’s dynamic, proportionate risk-based assessment work, and why is it more effective than a one-size-fits-all audit?

SafeContractor’s assessment reflects real-world risk, rather than applying generic standards to every contractor. 

• Assessments adapt to a contractor’s size, structure, and recent activities. 
• Contractors select the activities they’ve undertaken in the last 12 months, creating an accurate, up-to-date risk profile. 
• Sole traders and SMEs aren’t burdened with irrelevant requirements, while larger organisations are assessed against standards that reflect their scale. 
• Auditors review evidence such as RAMS and construction phase plans and will query or refine scopes where needed. 
• Activities can be added or removed so certificates accurately reflect the actual work being undertaken. 

This approach ensures compliance is proportionate, credible, and trusted by clients. 

How do you tailor an assessment to a contractor’s activity-level risk? What factors matter most?

Each assessment is built around the level of risk associated with the contractor’s actual activities. 

• Higher-risk work requires stronger evidence, including mandatory qualifications, contractor certifications, and category-specific documentation.  
• A minimum standard applies to all contractors, regardless of size.  
• Evidence expectations are proportionate, smaller businesses aren’t assessed as if they have dedicated health and safety teams. 
• Non-construction contractors may only need a risk assessment, while high-risk construction activities will always require full RAMS and additional documentation. 

This ensures higher-risk work receives the scrutiny it demands, without overloading lower-risk contractors. 

How does the assessment adapt to contractors from different industries, not just construction? 

SafeContractor supports contractors across a wide range of industries, not just construction. 

• The questionnaire adapts automatically depending on whether the work is construction or non-construction. 
• Non-construction contractors aren’t asked for irrelevant documentation such as asbestos awareness, CDM content, or construction phase plans. 
• Auditors can reassess classifications if the work doesn’t meet the legal definition of construction. 
• Contractor assessments are adjusted to reflect the true nature of the contractor’s activities, not assumptions based on job titles. 

How does this approach make compliance more accessible for SMEs?

Compliance is made more accessible by focusing only on what’s relevant and legally required. 

• Irrelevant questions are removed, reducing unnecessary admin. 
• Technical Support Officers (TSOs) help contractors select the right activities and upload documentation correctly. 
• Templates, guidance notes, and trusted external resources are provided where formal documentation isn’t legally required. 
• Auditor feedback is clear, practical, and free from unnecessary jargon. 

The process supports SMEs without lowering standards. 

What support do contractors receive throughout the assessment process?

Support is built into every stage of the assessment. 

• TSOs help contractors prepare, select activities, and submit evidence. 
• Auditors review submissions against SafeContractor standards and UK legislation. 
• Non-expiring evidence (such as qualifications) is retained, reducing repeat admin. 
• Contractors can engage in dialogue with auditors, there’s no “one-shot” submission. 
• Support is provided by real people, not automated emails alone. 

How do you ensure consistency and quality across all audits?

All audits are delivered against the same standards and subject to continuous quality assurance. 

• Auditors are trained and assessed against consistent SafeContractor standards. 
• A monthly sample of audits is reviewed by the Technical Governance team. 
• Feedback is shared through coaching, briefings, and document-review sessions. 
• In 2025, over 1,100 audits were quality-checked, achieving an average quality score of 97.6%. 

What misconceptions do contractors or clients often have about compliance? 

One of the most common misconceptions is that audits are designed to catch contractors out. 

• Auditors aim to pass contractors wherever evidence allows. 
• Existing evidence is used wherever possible, rather than rejected on technicalities. 
• Gaps are addressed through open dialogue and practical guidance. 
• The focus is on understanding and improving compliance, not creating barriers.