![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
INDUSTRY BODY CALLS FOR LEGAL CHANGE ON ‘COMPETENCE’
NASC urges replacing ‘competent’ with ‘qualified’ in new work at height regs
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has called for the words ‘competent’ and ‘competence’ to replaced with ‘qualified’ and a requirement for ‘qualification’ under any new Work at Height Regulations (WAH) introduced by 2013. The call is in response to the recent government report by Professor Löfstedt.
NASC argue that one particular ‘grey’ area in the current WAH Regulations concerns the use of the terms ‘competent’ and ‘competence’ which occur frequently throughout current legislation.
The terms are said to be “at the heart” of the regulations yet both are “ambiguous and open to interpretation” resulting in different interpretations and standards. The NASC recommend that these terms be replaced by the term ‘qualified’.
Change will improve standards in poor performing sectors
The NASC has written to Government calling for the change which it says is a simple yet effective recommendation to help the government meet its objectives of the review. The NASC accounts for over 75% of the UK’s scaffolding industry turnover and members must meet the NASC objectives of maintaining and developing best practice throughout the scaffolding industry.
In a statement the NASC state:
The work at height industry, including scaffolding can demonstrate clearly and accurately that an individual is ‘qualified’ by virtue of the fact that he has completed suitable training, which includes theoretical, practical and on site experience – the aptitude of the Scaffolder to continue to carry out his/her skilled works is also challenged every five years to ensure continued compliance.
Scaffolding contracting companies are also able to be audited to ensure continued compliance/qualification via existing regulated protocol such as the NASC’s membership criteria which is already acknowledged by many clients and main contractors as the only method of determining scaffolding prowess that meets all current Scaffolding and Health & Safety legislation.
By replacing the terms ‘competent’ and ‘competence’ with the clear and indisputable term ‘qualified’ the new edition of the regulations in 2013 will help achieve the objectives of the report’s recommendation – ensuring that those actions carried out in accordance with the Working at Height legislation are proportionate. Adoption of the term ‘qualified’ will also help overcome those continually legislation challenging sectors, such as SMEs and the self-employed.
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
DEATH EXPOSED MINIMAL MEWP MAINTENANCE
Court told about “almost complete” lack of MEWP maintenance
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018CONTRACTOR FAILED TO IDENTIFY ASBESTOS PRESENCE
ACMs disturbed during works and firm failed to take suitable actions
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018FALL THROUGH ROOF ON LOCAL COUNCIL BUILDING
Fragile rooflight fractured when workman ‘misplaced footing’
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018YOUNG WORKER POSED SPECIAL RISK TO CONTROL
Conviction highlights duty to young persons and the vulnerable
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018TOWER DEFECTS AND UNSAFE SYSTEM CAUSED DEATH
Maintenance supervisor fell to his death through roof opening
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018UK MAJOR FINED £1/2m OVER HAVS RISK FAILURES
Danger caused by poor management of vibrating hand tool risk
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st June 2018HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 20th JUNE 2018
Prosecutions and enforcement notices register latest version
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 20th June 2018DIRECTOR FAILED COMPLY WITH HSE PROHIBITION
Precautions not taken to prevent excavation collapse and falling
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th June 2018SCAFFOLD NOT TO INDUSTRY STANDARD OR DESIGN
Specialist and contractor in court over unsafe work at height
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th June 2018ROAD WORKER RUN OVER BY ROAD ROLLER
Reversing alarm not working and warning light not fitted
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th June 2018CLIENT AND SURVEYOR FINED OVER ASBESTOS SURVEY
Refurbishment and demolition asbestos survey proved inadequate
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th June 2018FATALITY: ROAD WORKER DRAGGED ALONG ROAD
Night shift worker loses life when struck by road sweeping vehicle
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd June 2018CDM PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS AVOID HSE ENFORCEMENT
Regulator enforcement database reveals few notices involve CDM PDs
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd June 2018PROPERTY MANAGERS FINED WITH CONTRACTOR
Defendants failed to check for asbestos during soffit replacement works
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th May 2018EXCAVATION CAUSED RETAINING WALL COLLAPSE
Precautions not taken to secure stability of free-standing wall
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th May 2018OVERHEAD CABLE STRIKE FIRM FINED £500,000+
Inadequate system caused risk of harm despite lack of worker injury
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th May 2018CDM 2015 PRINCIPAL DESIGNER FINED OVER FIRE RISK
PD and PC failed to comply with CDM 2015 responsibilities
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd May 2018SENTENCING GUIDELINES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Lawyer argues guidelines undermine reduction in ‘regulatory burden’
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd May 2018PANEL STRUCK WORKMAN DURING LIFTING OPERATION
Third party contractor falls victim of poor lift planning
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st May 2018DIRECTOR LED HAZARDOUS WORK AT HEIGHT
Three occasions when work lacked suitable and sufficient precautions
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st May 2018RISK ASSESSED BUT CONTROLS FOUND WANTING
Joiner fell through unprotected opening on roof of new building
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st May 2018RIBA CRITICAL OF HACKITT REVIEW FINAL REPORT
High rise residential review dismissed as “major missed opportunity”
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st May 2018CONSTRUCTION SECTOR DEATHS: THE ‘BIG THREE’
HSE in-year fatalities for 2017/18 may indicate upward trend
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 16th May 2018SCAFFOLDING SITE ACCIDENTS AT RECORD LOW
NASC Annual Report reveals all time low in 2017 incidents
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th May 2018DUMPER TRUCK HAND-BRAKE NOT MAINTAINED
Workman injured when pinned against stack of concrete blocks
Posted on 14th May 2018
January 7th, 2014 at 11:27 am
[…] NASC recommended that this terminology be replaced by the term ‘qualified’ (as adopted in the gas fitting […]