Posted By Andy Maguire Does anyone know if there is an equivalent scheme in other EU countries related to construction site safety. If there is, are competence cards issued in one member state recognised in another. Traety of Rome and all that they should be, but has anyone seen this level playing field lovingly known as the Federal State of Europe? Regards Andy

Posted By John Murgatroyd You'd better get your skates on, before you know it every person who not only WORKS on site but whose work GOES ONTO a site or whose work IS INVOLVED in construction will need to be cscs accredited. This involves everything from toilet cleaners to delivery van drivers. A brave new world awaits. Not that it will make a jot of difference to accidents or deaths on site, the majority of which are due to the morons working on site not paying attention to safety anyway. But, it will make a load of dosh and provide good pensionable careers for those otherwise unemployable.

Posted By John Murgatroyd You don't have to have any quals. Read the drivel printed. Your "employer" can qualify you for the card by stating that you hold "grandfather rights" I know of several people who have cscs tickets who have only been in the industry for a few years, and whose employer lied on the application. Then just look at the "trades" available: http://www.cscs.uk.com/trades_af.asp Carry-on...... Only recently, through intensive argument, have trades such as welding, steel fabrication etc been admitted to the hallowed "portals" of the cscs scheme. Somebody seems to have forgotten that the scheme eventually intends to encompass all trades involved in construction, at all levels. Even milkmen. And since you have to take a test in construction health and safety to get the cscs card, how can anyone say it has nothing to do with safety ? No safety matters test, no pass, no cscs ticket. ""CSCS aims to register every competent construction operative within the UK not currently on a skills registration scheme. Operatives will get an individual registration card (similar to a credit card) which lasts for three or five years. The CSCS card also provides evidence that the holder has undergone health and safety awareness training or testing."" http://www.cscs.uk.com/