Not only was CSCS or equivalent competence card holding a requirement for all workers on London 2012 construction sites, the ODA provided on-site facilities for workers to train for and take the Health, Safety & Environment test, which all applicants must pass before applying for a CSCS card.

Interestingly the first ODA staff member to take the Health, Safety & Environment test was the current CEO Dennis Hone who at the time was Director of Finance.

Brian Adams, CSCS Chief Executive comments:

“We are extremely pleased that CSCS contributed to the fantastic health and safety record achieved during construction of the Olympic facilities. Whilst we appreciate it is just one element of comprehensively managed health and safety policies and procedures, it emphasises to clients and to contractors large and small the important role that appropriate training and holding of competence cards can accomplish.”

*The accident frequency rate at London 2012 sites is 0.16 incidents per 100,000 worker hours compared to 0.21 for all UK employment.

The SmartCard based solution developed by Reference Point uses CSCS cards for multiple applications.  They have replaced cards previously issued for access control, reducing the number of cards that workers need to carry in order to be admitted onto site.  And they are also providing a key to access individuals’ training records on Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall’s internal training records system, allowing site managers to check that workers have received the necessary training to undertake their jobs competently, as well as logging site-based activities such as inductions. 

Jez Haskins, project director for Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall at Tottenham Court Road said:

“Using the technology available through CSCS SmartCards has made ensuring that workers on our Tottenham Court Road site are competent much simpler and quicker.  Using them for gaining access to site too means that workers only need one card which makes life easier for them and more cost-effective for us.”

CSCS is sponsoring the NFB’s first annual awards scheme to celebrate the high quality work and commitment delivered by NFB members to improve the built environment.

The deadline for entries is April 11 and NFB members wishing to submit an entry should download an application pack.

New features of the Test include:

• A fully revised and updated question bank including the new universal hazard symbols;
• Questions on ‘respiratory risks’ and the hazards they can pose;
• A new chapter on the environment with questions on sustainability and environmental hazards; and
• A whole new section of the test designed to measure a candidate’s behavioural responses to three randomly chosen scenarios to highlight safe working practices on site.

You can find out more about the new Health, Safety and Environment and purchase revision materials.

The technology available through CSCS SmartCards was first used at the site in February 2011 to provide a link between individuals’ CSCS SmartCards and their training records on Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall’s internal training records system. The system allows site managers to check that workers have received the necessary training to undertake their jobs competently, as well as logging site-based activities such as inductions.  At this stage, workers still needed a further card to gain access to site through the site’s entrance turnstiles and biometric system.

Now, following development by software applications specialist Reference Point and loading the cards with project specific information, workers wishing to enter the site simply present their CSCS SmartCards at readers at site entrances and the access control and biometric systems check the information stored and either allow or deny access, depending on their training and competence.

Jez Haskins, project director for Taylor Woodrow BAM Nuttall at Tottenham Court Road said:

“Using the technology available through CSCS SmartCards has made ensuring that workers on our Tottenham Court Road site are competent much simpler and quicker.  Using them for gaining access to site too means that workers only need one card which makes life easier for them and more cost-effective for us.”