From July 2014, there will be a major change to the CSCS green Construction Site Operative card (CSO) which will only be issued to labourers. Existing green cards will be valid until their current expiry date but the new labourer card will be for labourers only and will no longer be issued to operatives working in other occupations.
The aim of the change is to ensure that all CSCS cardholders hold the appropriate card for their occupation and qualification level and don’t just apply for the green card as the easiest route to gain access to site.
If any of your workforce hold green cards, you need to review them. For genuine labourers, you can renew their green cards when they expire by ensuring that they pass the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test and achieve one of the following; QCF Level 1 Award Health & Safety in a Construction Environment; CIEH Level 2 Award Health & Safety in the Workplace; or One-day Site Safety Plus Health & Safety Awareness Course.
When selecting the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test for labourers to take, it should be relevant to the sector they work in as they may wish to progress from a green Labourer card to a blue Skilled Worker card and will need to have passed the appropriate test to do so.
If contractors have operatives within their workforce holding green cards who are not labourers, they will no longer be eligible for the green card and contractors should use the CSCS Cardfinder to find out which is the right card and test for each operative.
NSCC President Kevin Louch said: “Carrying the right CSCS card enables specialist contractors to demonstrate that they are properly qualified to do their job on site. The changes to the green card should mean that everyone gets the right card for their current role and make it easier for the skills and qualifications they have to be recognised.”
Further information on the changes to the green card can be found on the CSCS website.
Contractors can also register for a half-day CSCS Briefing Event on the morning of Wednesday 11 June 2014 at the ArcelorMittal Orbit on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park inLondon.
