One of the major quality control schemes within construction is set to undergo significant changes over the next year.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) plans to make it a requirement for labourers to achieve a level 1 vocation qualification in Health and Safety for Construction Labourers before receiving the scheme’s entry-level green card.
Previous misuse of the current green card led to confusion within the industry, with some perceiving the cards as purely a passport to gain access to a site as oppose to a measure of an individual’s competence to complete a job.
It is planned that from July 2014, labourers will have to demonstrate this requirement in order to obtain a card.
A pilot is set to take place throughout the winter, which will be determined by the industry.
CSCS chief executive, Graham Wren said:
“Our aim is to set this standard at a level that demonstrates a worker’s knowledge and understanding of basic health and safety issues without it being prohibitive in terms of time and cost.”
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When oh when will we have one set of rules across the industry which will be accepted by all parties. I think there is no harm in addition training but you have to look at cost when you have to have different certifications when working for different companies.
The current CSCS is fit for purpose e.g. it raises awareness of H&S on construction sites before being allowed on site, in theory. Laborers could do with a practical course in general laboring H&S e.g. mixing materials (dust etc.), lifting, carrying and storing materials, site tidiness, working around traffic and plant, how to understand a risk assessment and put it into practice e.g. for using disc cutters, mixers etc.
I agree with the need for a days training for all not just a level 1
all tradesmen and site operatives should have a days training in H&S. Supervisors are expected to have two days and Managers 5 days, directors do a one day course, why should the working man or woman not have their awareness raised to a suitable level, after all these are the people most at risk daily on construction sites. The should also be an emphasis in the high risk areas of safety but also the general health issues.
Sorry but this seems to be just another way to get more money. Cscs cards do not make people safe
“Our aim is to set this standard at a level that demonstrates a worker’s knowledge and understanding of basic health and safety issues…”.
Forgive my ignorance, I thought that having a CSCS card was supposed to demonstrate a basic understanding of H&S.