Fraudulent documentation in health and safety compliance: What you need to know 

Written by Benjamin Coak, Technical Standards Manager at Alcumus SafeContractor

Why contractor verification matters more than ever

In today’s increasingly regulated business environment, verifying the authenticity of contractor documentation isn’t just about compliance, it’s about saving lives. The latest HSE figures show that 124 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents between April 2024 and March 2025. While this is a slight drop from the previous year, the root causes, including falls from height and structural collapses, remain consistent and preventable. 

These tragedies underline the critical importance of working with competent, safety-conscious contractors. At SafeContractor, we’ve seen a 21% rise in fraudulent documents submitted during contractor assessments, a worrying trend that puts site safety, legal compliance, and project outcomes at serious risk. 

This blog explores the most common types of fraudulent documentation, why this issue is growing, what it means for clients, and how SafeContractor helps you avoid these dangers by ensuring every contractor you work with meets rigorous standards 

The most common fraudulent documents

Fraudulent documents come in many forms, but the majority we encounter fall into five key categories: 

• Training and qualification certificates
  The most commonly forged include SMSTS, SSSTS, PASMA, IPAF, first aid, confined spaces, and asbestos awareness. Many still use outdated UKATA formats, despite updates in 2022. 
• 3rd party certification and approvals
  Fake ISO (9001, 14001, 45001) and altered contractor certifications from CHAS, Constructionline, and NICEIC are frequently seen. 
• Health and safety management documents
  Risk assessments and method statements are often copied across businesses with only the name changed, showing no job-specific detail. 
• Inspection records
  Includes falsified checks for RPE, fall arrest systems, scaffolding, and lifting equipment, often backdated or without audit trails. 
• Insurance certificates
  Examples include edited policy dates, fake schedules, or non-existent policies when verified with insurers. 

Contractor training and qualification certificates are the most frequently forged. Examples include certificates for SMSTS, SSSTS, PASMA, IPAF, heavy plant operation, confined spaces, first aid, and e-learning courses. We also see falsified ISO certifications (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001). 

One particularly common forgery is asbestos awareness training certificates. This is often revealed because the UKATA updated their certificate format in December 2022, yet we still receive many certificates using the old style. 

Common themes in fraudulent compliance areas

Fraudulent documents generally fall into three broad categories: 

• Competency evidence 
• Health and safety management system evidence 
• Insurance coverage evidence 

Of these, competency evidence is most frequently faked. However, fake health and safety management system documents and insurance certificates are just as alarming. Any fraudulent document casts doubt on the integrity of all other evidence supplied by the contractor, posing serious risks to your project. 

Fraudulent documents can come from any size of business, including sole traders, small companies, and even large firms. That’s why every part of your supply chain needs thorough scrutiny. 

Why are fraudulent documents increasing?

The rise in fraudulent documentation is tied to several complex factors: 

• Increasing demands from legislation: Regulations like the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022 require clients to verify the health and safety capability of contractors. 
• Insurance requirements: Insurers are increasingly withholding claims if contractors don’t meet compliance criteria. 
• Industry drives for competency: Organisations such as CITB are pushing for a fully qualified workforce to improve standards. 
• Digitisation: Businesses need reliable, auditable evidence to make informed decisions. 
• Rising costs: Some contractors, especially in high-risk or low-margin sectors, may view fraudulent documentation as a way to bypass the cost of obtaining legitimate training, insurance, or certifications, falsely presenting themselves as compliant to win work. 

At the same time, economic pressures mean contractors are cutting costs and sometimes resorting to fraudulent documentation rather than investing in proper training and systems. 

Often fraud stems not from deliberate deceit but from poor management systems. For example, an expired training certificate might be altered because a current version can’t be found, or risk assessments and insurance documents are not updated or stored correctly. 

Many contractors don’t fully understand the serious consequences of falsifying documents, it’s often seen as a “quick fix.” Without strong oversight and validation processes, these issues persist. 

Why fraudulent documentation poses serious risks for clients

Procurement teams are often busy and not experts in verifying all types of compliance documents, meaning fraudulent paperwork can slip through. 

Accepting fake competency evidence means: 

• Workers might not have the required training or skills. 
• Other supplied information could also be false. 

Fake health and safety management system documents raise questions about whether: 

• Risk assessments are accurate and site-appropriate. 
• Workers have been properly informed of risks. 
• Safe equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) are used correctly. 

Fake insurance certificates expose clients to substantial financial liabilities if accidents occur and claims are denied. 

The fallout from fraudulent documents can range from project delays and costly investigations to onsite accidents, enforcement actions, and reputational damage. It can also expose weaknesses in the client’s own vetting and management systems. 

A real-world example: Quantum Exhibitions and Displays, a West Yorkshire firm, was fined £70,000 after a worker was seriously injured while operating machinery near a slope with no training or safety controls in place. The HSE investigation found no risk assessment had been completed, and the company later submitted backdated documents, including training records and a risk assessment dated after the incident. The court ruled they had been falsified to obstruct the investigation. The firm pleaded guilty under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was ordered to pay an additional £4,140 in costs. 

This case shows how fraudulent documentation doesn’t just risk worker safety, it leads to legal penalties, reputational damage, and deeper questions about how contractors are vetted and managed. 

SafeContractor’s approach to detecting fraudulent documentation

At SafeContractor, we take document verification seriously: 

• Our internal audit team is skilled at spotting forged documents through detailed checks, such as unusual dates, fonts, and formatting errors. 
• Because assessments are annual, we can compare new documents against originals submitted previously to identify alterations. 
• We keep up to date with industry changes, including certificate formats and verification methods. Many training providers offer online verification or public registers, which we use to cross-check documents. 
• If we suspect fraud, we pause the assessment and launch an investigation. This can delay contractor approval and access to client sites. 
• Our membership terms and conditions clearly state that fraudulent documents will not be tolerated. Consequences range from requiring corrective actions to permanent removal from the scheme. 

Final thoughts 

Fraudulent documentation is a serious and growing threat in health and safety compliance. It undermines trust, risks safety, and exposes projects and clients to major legal and financial consequences. 

SafeContractor’s thorough approach and expert audit team work hard to detect and prevent fraud, helping you build a safer, more compliant supply chain. 

Ready to protect your business from fraudulent documents and ensure your contractors meet the highest standards?

Contact SafeContractor today to learn how our expert certification and assessment services can safeguard your projects and peace of mind.