Two aids have been launched to help clients and contractors understand the different competence cards available to scaffolders through the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS).
In accordance with Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) 2007, all clients and contractors must be legally satisfied with the “competence of those engaged” in any works, including scaffolding.
The CISRS, which describes itself as “the preferred scaffolding qualification” for a number of major organisations – including the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation, the UK Contractors Group, and UCATT – currently features eight different cards that identify what the particular individual can and cannot do with regard to the assembly of a scaffold structure. The eight cards range from labourer and trainee, through to advanced scaffolder and scaffold inspector.
To help inform clients and contractors about the scope of the cards, the CISRS has launched an informative A2 poster to explain the areas of work that any individual holding a Scheme card can carry out.
To explain in more detail the criteria for each card, a short online video presentation is also available to watch on the organisation’s website. The video lasts around 15 minutes and covers the course criteria and the scope of each CISRS qualification. Users can take a free online test after watching the video to check their understanding.
David Mosley, CISRS training scheme manager, said: “The main reason why some scaffolds are seen erected unsafely is due to lack of training. Hopefully, clients and contractors will use these two new tools to help them understand the CISRS scheme and enable them to prevent non-skilled scaffolders erecting dangerous scaffolds.”
The poster is available free (subject to stock availability) and can be requested directly by contacting the organisation on 0844 815 7223, or via e-mail at [email protected] To view the online presentation, visit the CISRS website at www.cisrs.org.uk
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Having spent 2 years as a HSE Inspector of Construction I can assure you that the issuing of cards does not ensure competence.
Failure to adhere to best practice is a primary cause of concern.
Undesigned scaffold configuration, lack of competent supervision, and a lack of competent inpection prior to acceptance at handover are significant contributing factors in scaffold related issues of concern.
Failure to monitor sub-contractors whilst at work is also an aggrevating factor.
I inspected a system scaffold in Leith in 2009, two days prior the scaffold had been inspected by a leading scaffolding contractor.
I noted 40+ defects on a 12m high scaffold. A truely staggering amount given the basic configuration about a timber frame.
The guy who had inspected said scaffold had enough tickets to start a small bonfire.
Upon reflection I should have advised him to do so with them as they were wasted as evidence of competence and due dilligence.
“…. I can assure you that the issuing of cards does not ensure competence…..”
How undeniably true Mr Kennedy.
But it does not just apply to scaffolders, it relates to all professions and specialisations.
I encountered a ‘scaffold inspector’, whose day job was that of a QS, who had completed a two-day scaffold inspection course recently. That person introduce himself as an expert scaffold inspector!!!
There are card-holders, card-holders and chancers.