Contractors urged to stop asking site chefs for skills cards

Contractors are being told to stop turning away non-construction staff from sites if they don’t hold CSCS skills cards.

The drive for blanket card-carrying on major sites has raised standards but created problems for non-construction related workers on jobs.

Workers like chefs, vending machine installers and pest controllers can be refused entry to sites for not holding a CSCS card.

CSCS Head of Communications Alan O’Neile said: “CSCS cards are intended for construction related occupations only.

“Due to the wide range of skills required on construction projects, there are times when a worker arrives on site to perform a non-construction related activity, for example catering staff, delivering materials or cleaners.

“These individuals do not require a CSCS card and CSCS has stopped issuing cards for these and many other non-construction related occupations.”

But some construction sites still operate a 100% carded workforce policy.

The policy is often reinforced in client’s prequalification documents or by head office insisting all workers and visitors to site should carry a CSCS card.

O’Neile added: “The rigid enforcement of a 100% carded workforce results in legitimate, non-construction related, workers being refused entry to site as they do not hold a card.

“This indicates a misunderstanding of the scheme and undermines the construction industry’s desire for a fully qualified (not carded) workforce.

“We are not asking site managers to allow just anyone on site. If a worker is there to carry out a construction related activity then a card is required as proof of their training and qualifications.

“If they are there to perform a non-construction related activity it becomes the responsibility of site managers to induct and escort these people to ensure they remain safe at all times when on site.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/06/23/contractors-urged-to-stop-asking-site-chefs-for-skills-cards/

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