Posted By Ian Mitchell
Good afternoon. I would appreciate feedback on this situation if possible? I have recently started work for a small(ish) construction company. They employ persons of many nationalities at all levels from labourer to site operations manager. They are all capable people, but very few possess CSCS cards etc. for their relevant trade/skill. This question relates paticularly to the site engineers, who are reluctant to go through the 'long-winded' accreditation route associated with the card system. You see, they all possess qualifications in their field, but because they have been obtained overseas (mainly Asian and Middle-Eastern nations) or just too long ago, they need to 'start from scratch' almost and this is meeting with resistance.
As the primary function of the card system is to demonstrate that they possess the necessary level of H+S awareness to carry out their duties in a responsible manner, would it be equally prudent to put them through a reputable safety course (such as the IOSH managing safely course) instead to supplement their professional competence.
Any thoughts pro or anti this course of action would be appreciated, especially in light of the mooted legal requirement for CSCS or similar accreditation from 4/07...
Thanks Ian

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Ian

There are couple of issues here:

a) CSCS is, in spite of its claims, fundamentally a system for certifying skill achievements rather than safety per se.

b) Whatever safety training you have undertaken they will still insist on the touch screen test. There has been no meeting of minds between CSCS and IOSH. Primarily because CSCS see themselves as a competent organisation for construction safety and wish to be the only recognised body. This in spite of the fact that most safety management in construction is either chartered or technician status members of IOSH.

c) In spite of John Carpenter's report there will I trust never be a legal standing to the safety competency element of the CSCS. In fact I am hoping that it will eventually wither on the vine to be replaced by a decent system run by training organisations and companies to an approved fundamental syllabus. It is even rumoured that they tried to make a requirement for HSE inspectors to hold a CSCS card before visiting a site. I wish I had been a fly on the wall if it were true!!!!

We have had many CSCS debates on the IOSH forums and there is little value in repeating the issues. I would be more than happy however to discuss things in more detail if you make contact with me on a personal basis.

Bob

Posted By Robert K Lewis
But be aware that if you have an MCG member or other major contractor around the work you may find a point of debate.

Please contact me direct if you need to know more.

Bob

Posted By Alan Woodage
Ian,
Just reading your comment with regard to training / iosh managing safely. Have you looked at the CITB SMSTS site managers safety training scheme. This may be an easier rote to improve the safety awareness of your engineers as well as ensure they qualify for a cscs card. As it is CITB / construction skills run, it is very economical if you are able to claim CITB grants. 5 days over 5 weeks so not to much down time from a site point of view, is another plus when trying to get men released for training.
hope this is of use.