In 2001 the UK Contractors Group (UKCG), formerly known as the Major Contractors Group, launched its Health & Safety Charter to help maintain the health and safety of every individual on their construction sites. One element of the Charter commits members to a ‘Fully Qualified Workforce’ to ensure competence. As a member of the UKCG, BAM fully supports this initiative and as a result we will only allow competent personnel to work on our construction sites. To enable our management teams to determine whether an individual is competent, we insist that every individual holds a UKCG Approved Card. In the majority of cases this will be a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, or one of its affiliates. Find out about getting a card here.
If you are going to be working on a BAM Construction site in the near future you must obtain a BAM-approved card before you arrive to guarantee entry to the site. In 2006, Construction Skills launched a new service, known as SkillsDirect, which enables individuals to obtain CSCS cards quicker and easier than ever before.
SkillsDirect can be contacted on 0870 8505262.
Any individual turning up at one of our construction sites without a card will be refused entry, and will be given a copy of the BAM ‘How to get your CSCS Card’ leaflet.
At our management teams’ discretion, individuals may be allowed to work on site if they can provide proof that they have enrolled onto an approved card scheme, such as a copy of the email from SkillsDirect confirming their booking for a test and card appointment. Individuals may therefore be asked contact SkillsDirect and apply for a card on arrival. As part of the enrolment process they will be expected to pay for their card, H&S Test, and any revision material over the phone.
The websites below will give you further information on the UKCG Charter, CSCS, and Construction Skills.
UKCG: www.ukcg.org.uk
CSCS: www.cscs.uk.com
Construction Skills: www.cskills.org
Further information on UKCG approved card schemes can be found at:
http://www.cskills.org/supportbusiness/cardschemes/index.aspx