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#1 Posted : 23 April 2009 10:42:00(UTC)
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Posted By P MacEochaidin
Hi All

I'm looking for definitive information on Irish SafePass & eligibility in the UK. Is it true to say that compared to the Irish jurisdiction, where you must have SafePass, there is no legal requirement to have a CSR/CSCS card to gain access to a construction site. I'm aware that some principal contractors may have a policy requiring all personnel to have the Operatives CSCS card anyway.

According to the CSCS site (http://www.cscs.uk.com/faqs/affiliated-and-other-card-schemes/8) Fas SafePass card holders are not required to take the ‘Operatives CSCS Card Test’ so long as they have a current & valid SafePass Card. Anyone travelling from the UK to work in Ireland will have their CSCS card accepted in lieu of SafePass. The CSCS site seems to indicate that SafePass card holders still have to apply for the CSCS card but it’s just an application formality (i.e. no multiple choice test to sit).
Is this in fact practise!!?? Have Irish companies gone through the process of presenting there Safepass Cards for application for issuance of CSCS cards when working in the UK?????

In summary, is it true to say that Safepass is accepted outside of Ireland through a mutual recognition agreement between the likes of CSR in Northern Ireland & CSCS/CITB in the UK. I know FAS SafePass also has an affiliation with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) in Britain. I’ve trawled through numerous sites to find something definite.
Can anyone point me in the right direction to get DEFINITIVE evidence of this 'mutual recognition agreement'?????

I just want to have this re-assurance in the event of our company staff meeting an overly obstructive or fussy safety advisor.........

Thanks
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#2 Posted : 23 April 2009 14:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By LShannon
Well you will meet a stuffy and over bearing Safety Advisor regardless!.

Working In Ireland and for some time along the border, I always accepted the NI CSR card in lieu of Safe Pass as was published on the HSA website a long time ago. But if you tried that in Dublin some jobs worth Safety Officer wouldnt accept anything other than Safe Pass. Hence 1/2 million people got safe pass when maybe 200,000 needed to. The Health And Safety Review magazine may have more info.( its on line)( And Im a former Safe pass Tutor)
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#3 Posted : 23 April 2009 19:05:00(UTC)
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Posted By Seamus O Sullivan
Hi

I don't think that any mutual recognition exists. Ireland will not recognise PLASMA training for mobile scaffolding so UK is unlikely to recognise safe pass training. The legislation is different in the Republic of Ireland and UK. The enforcing authorities in both jurisdictions are different. I am aware some Irish employers do accept the Safe pass card in London. I suppose it depends on what the UK legislation states.

Seamus





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#4 Posted : 23 April 2009 22:29:00(UTC)
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Posted By P MacEochaidin
What about this???

http://www.cscs.uk.com/f...and-other-card-schemes/8

What is FÀS & why don't holders have to take the ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test to obtain a CSCS card?
'What is FÀS & why don't holders have to take the ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test to obtain a CSCS card? '


FÀS stands for: Foras Aiseanna Saothair (FÀS- Training & Employment Authority)

The FÀS SAFEPASS card is the healthy & safety requirement for construction sites in the Republic of Ireland and is required by law.

FÀS Safepass cardholders are exempt from having to take the Operative ConstructionSkills Health & Safety Test when applying for a CSCS card or CSCS affiliated scheme card, providing the Safepass is current and valid. CSCS Card holders or affiliated scheme cardholders going from the UK to work on construction sites in the Republic of Ireland will have their CSCS card accepted in lieu of the Safepass card.

For more information visit http://www.fas.ie/ or call (00) 3531 814 0257
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#5 Posted : 24 April 2009 08:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
On the other hand the CSCS card actually does something that Safepass does not do and that is to verify trade skills competence.

It does not, in common with Safepass, verify H&S copmpetence. It merely verifies training and/or passing a short H&S test.

Bob
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