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UKCG insists on director, manager, supervisor and operator safety training

The UK Contractors Group (UKCG) has launched a revised Training Standard detailing the level of health and safety training required by “those who direct, manage, supervise or undertake construction related activities on UKCG sites”.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions has been prepared to assist all supply chain partners.

Three routes to minimum training specified

The standard details the minimum training expected for individuals to undertake their roles on UKCG construction sites. The requirement for individuals to be able to demonstrate formal health and safety training is in addition to a demonstration of skill competency via the UKCG accepted record scheme.

Companies are required to select “appropriate health and safety training that reflects the needs of their organisation/scope of works and client requirements”. This may include:

1. Compliant Courses: referred to within the standard. These are those provided by Construction Skills or those to the relevant IOSH standard;
2. Comparable Courses: those comparable to the compliant courses e.g. endorsed by the relevant Sector Skills Council / Trade Association. These are CISRS courses for those involved in scaffolding and the NTDG for those involved in demolition; or
3. Internal Training: internally developed training where the employer has demonstrated to the Principal Contractor that the training course has content and outcomes at least equivalent to course types in (1) and (2) above.

The standard builds on the work undertaken in 2009 that required all supervisors to attend a minimum of two days formal H&S training. The revised standard is extended to incorporate requirements on those that direct, management and undertake.

HSE commends UKCG clear path to folllow

The standard received backing from HSE with Philip White, Chief Inspector for Construction at HSE, commenting:

“effective Health & Safety training is a cornerstone of competency. In developing this standard UKCG has laid out a clear path for organisations to follow.”

John Morgan, Safety Director at Kier Group and Chair of the UKCG Competency Working Group said the standard was developed with support from contractors and their supply chain and that the ‘challenge’ is to cement this training into common industry practice.

Timetable for compliance

UKCG has set no specific deadlines for compliance. However, supply chains will be required to establish a programme for ensuring their employees are working towards the training standard.

Uptake of the training will be monitored by UKCG during 2012 and audit information will be used to direct future implementation of the standard and establish % compliance targets.

Stephen Ratcliffe, Director UKCG, added that once the level of training reached a critical mass UKCG will be mandating the standard across all UKCG sites.

This article was posted on 17th February 2012