Checklist
Roofing contractor compliance checklist
What roofing contractors need to have in place before working on commercial and domestic projects in the UK.
By Complys·26 Mar 2026·6 min read
Roofing is one of the highest-risk trades in UK construction. Working at height requirements are strict, and principal contractors and clients carry out detailed compliance checks before appointing roofing subcontractors. Here is everything you need to have in place.
Industry membership and accreditation
- NFRC membership — National Federation of Roofing Contractors. The most widely recognised trade body for roofing. Many principal contractors require NFRC membership or equivalent.
- CompetentRoofer — government-approved competent person scheme for roofing work, allowing self-certification under Building Regulations
- CHAS or SMAS — SSIP health and safety pre-qualification. Complys helps you maintain the documents needed to obtain and renew these.
- Constructionline — increasingly required for public sector and housing association work
Insurance
- Public liability insurance — minimum £5 million for commercial work. Note that some insurers exclude certain roofing activities — check your policy covers all the work you do.
- Employers' liability insurance — minimum £5 million, legally required if you employ anyone
- Plant and equipment insurance — covering access equipment, roof ladders and any powered plant
- Contract works insurance — covering the works themselves against weather damage and other risks
Operative qualifications and cards
- CSCS card — for site access. Roofing operatives should hold the appropriate CSCS card for their skill level.
- NVQ Level 2 in Roofing Occupations — the standard trade qualification for roofing operatives
- PASMA card — if using mobile access towers
- IPAF card — if using cherry pickers or other MEWPs
- Asbestos awareness training — essential for any roofer who may encounter asbestos cement sheets, which are common in older commercial buildings
- P402 asbestos survey qualification — if carrying out asbestos surveys
- First aid at work certificate — at least one operative on site at all times
Working at height documents
- Working at height risk assessment — specific to each project
- Edge protection and fall arrest plan
- Fragile roof assessment — for any roof that may not support a person's weight
- Inspection records for all harnesses, lanyards and fall arrest equipment
- Ladder and access equipment inspection records
Health and safety documents
- Written health and safety policy
- Site-specific RAMS for each project
- Manual handling risk assessment
- Hot works permit and fire safety plan (for torch-on felt work)
- Toolbox talk records
- Accident and near miss records
Compliance checklist summary
- ✓ NFRC membership or equivalent
- ✓ CompetentRoofer registration (if carrying out notifiable work)
- ✓ Public liability insurance (min £5m, check coverage for all roofing activities)
- ✓ Employers' liability insurance (min £5m)
- ✓ CHAS or SMAS accreditation
- ✓ CSCS cards for all operatives
- ✓ Asbestos awareness training records for all operatives
- ✓ IPAF or PASMA cards where relevant
- ✓ First aid certificate on site
- ✓ Site-specific RAMS including working at height assessment
- ✓ Fragile roof assessment where applicable
- ✓ Hot works permit where applicable
- ✓ Right to work evidence for all employees
Keep your roofing compliance in order with Complys
Store your NFRC membership, insurance, operative cards and RAMS in one place. Share your full compliance profile with any contractor instantly.