Most construction sites are very safety-conscious places these days and won’t just let anybody on. The main requirement is generally that you need to hold a valid CSCS card, which provide identification and proves you know how to operate safely when you’re on site. So if you’re a construction worker or if you need to visit construction sites on a regular basis, you have to get a CSCS card as soon as possible.
Types of CSCS Card
The first thing to decide is which type of card you need to obtain. The major choice is between a standard CSCS card that’s available for any construction worker and an affiliated card that is provided for different trades. The latter are provided by various bodies, ensure you get training that is relevant to the work you do and apply top trades such as plumbers, electricians and utility workers.
However, the standard CSCS card will be sufficient in many cases and will at least ensure you’re allowed on site.
Within each type of card, there are various categories for specific types of role or different types of employment. The cards tend to be colour coded and apply to trainees who are new to the profession, operatives, skilled workers, mangers and the like. You can also usually get a card if you undertake construction-relate activities or if, for example, you simply make deliveries to sites.
There are two ways to get a CSCS card. You can either apply for your CSCS Card online or by calling 0203 051 1004.
CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test
In order to obtain a CSCS card, you have to conform to certain criteria and these will vary depending on the card you want to get. At the very least, you have to pass the CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test or have a valid qualification that is equivalent, which proves you can work safely on a construction site.
For other than trainee or visitor cards, you’ll need some type of formal qualification, which will generally be Construction NVQ, SVQ or equivalent and at a level that is appropriate for your role.
If you get through the procedure, you’ll receive your card and it will be valid for a set number of years. When it expires, you’ll need to resit the Health, Safety and Environment Test to prove your knowledge is up-to-date before to can be renewed.
