In what is being described as a boost for health and safety on construction sites in Scotland, its Government is insisting that all on-site workers involved in public-sector construction contracts are registered with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), or equivalent.
The new policy, which was proposed by the Scottish Building Federation, was announced before Christmas, following the Government’s review of procurement in construction.€
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The reliance on CSCS cards is missguided, and results in employers adopting minimal effort
once every 5 years.
CSCS does not prove competence but is accepted as such.
It is not an ACoP requirement, and is only envisaged as a starting entry requirement upon joining the industry.
I would prerfer that empolyers made thier employees aware of the risk involved in thier undertakings, and how to adequately control the said risk, as is the legal requirement.
That would be more beneficial.
Direct employees of LA`s do not require CSCS, but contractors do?
I would suggest that they review their own standards first.
I interviewed LA employees whilst with the HSE in Scotland and never once found a CSCS card holder, let alone a CDM ACoP required CITB H&S Aware post holder.
No 5 day SMSTS or 2 SSSTS requirements observed to my knowledge?
As for any in house training equivalent to this CITB standard, no chance.
And I now require CSCS to prove my competence?
Oh dear, is the best initiative the Scottish government can come up with?
Just having a CSCS card does not necessarily mean that the individual has the right qualification/certificates for doing the task at hand. Certficates expire! I know of a system that overcomes this problem!!!!
Totally agree….I know of a system that gives the employers/sub-contractors a tool to actively manage this in real time proving all their competencies!!!!