Surely sparks etc and all tradesmen have enough elements of H&S knowledge, training ect MB1 You are correct when you are refering to tradesmen. The touch screen test is a refresher. These guys and girls have got their cards through completing an NVQ. Part of their training to become a competent trades person includes H & S. This probably includes about 15 days H & S training over a three year period plus what they have to do in the workplace to complete their portfolios. OK I think we can safely say these guys are competent in H & S to the required level. They then renew the cards 5 years down the line. They already have the competence, so are just refreshing their existing knowledge. The trainee cards (red) well at the end of the day they are training and they should be supervised. The PC or client has a record that they are at the training stage of their career and will be aware that some caution is required. Visitor cards are obtained by occasional visitors, this will identify to the PC that some kind of caution is again required and the likelihood is that they will be escorted around the site. Professional/Managerial cards identify the person as having a higher level of H & S knowledge competency because it does not matter what professional construction qualification, or membership you take, H & S takes a considerable chunk of the course. Personally I find the scheme good in principal, but they need to make some tweaks to improve it. I also could not justify the NEBOSH Construction certificate as an exempting certificate or the likes as they are not a refreshed course. If I Did I would not not be paying for my guys to be doing asbestos awareness, working at height, manual handling etc etc every three years. RayRapp wrote: Not disputing that CSCS is better than nothing...but only just. A multi-choice test at a computer is hardly showing competence on a construction site, a schoolboy could pass the test with a little homework. I have to agree with achrn. I had a guy who failed the test twice. Not only myself, but the local college, and his works colleagues worked with him to help him through. Obviously he struggled, but to him at the end of the day it was a success. The lad is still in my employ, is a hard worker, and doesnt jump down in trenches, doesnt put a ladder up without a footer, doesnt use the disc cutter without safety glasses etc. Safety awareness achieved. We all know the CSCS is a doddle for most of us, but improvements are required in terms of exemptions of the test. Brett