Construction Skills Certification Scheme - CSCS

The CSCS came to prominence in the 1990s - at that time in the construction sector accidents, injuries and fatalities were at an unacceptably high level, The government of the day and the Health and Safety Executive identified a major contributor to this state of affairs was a lack health and safety training in the industry. The diverse range of different trades lacked a standard health and safety test along the lines of the CORGI system. The solution identified was to produce a standardized test which measured health and safety knowledge and competence across the entire range of construction trades. Currently there are 1.9 million CSCS card holders, with 10 affiliated schemes - including plant, electrical, scaffold and demolition. Environment questions are now included in the test The aim is that all site workers will hold the right CSCS card for the work they undertake and construction contractors and clients will be expected to maximise potential benefits of a qualified workforce. Principal Contractors are expected to carry out more rigorous on-site checks using smart technology to reduce fraudulent use of the cards.

• Labourer – Apprentice - Experienced Technical Supervisor or Manager
• Experienced Worker - Trainee (craft and operative)
• Trainee (technical, supervisory and management) - Skilled Worker
• Advanced Craft/Supervisory - Manager - Academically Qualified Person
• Construction Related Occupation (CRO) - Professionally Qualified Person
• Site Visitor (being with-drawn) – Provisional (six months)

Following the course those attending the will be:

• familiar with the background and test procedures
• aware of the type of questions asked at the test
• able to take the Health and Safety and Environment Test

The course will be tailored to the requirements of those attending – covering (in sufficient depth) the test questions relating to the following:

• Legal and management
• Health & Welfare
• General Safety
• High risk activities
• Environment
• Specialist activities

Each section will be introduced by the tutor followed by interactive involvement of the delegates. The CITB DVD will be used as appropriate to illustrate the type of questions, the 12 behavioral case studies and the 16 knowledge question core areas.

Anyone who is preparing for the CSCS Health, Safety and Environment Test.

Each delegate will be expected to bring a copy of the relevant CITB book - which covers the questions relating to the test to be taken.