The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has just launched the eighth version of the nationally recognised health and safety awareness course for the UK engineering construction industry – now in its 30th year. I have outlined the story below and attached a couple of images that can be used to accompany this.
Workers across the engineering construction industry will gain an enhanced awareness of health and safety through a new version of the CCNSG* Safety Passport course now delivered by training providers across the country.
In consultation with employers and training providers, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) launched the eighth version of the health and safety awareness course to ensure it continues to meet evolving industry needs.
Emma McMullen, Managing Director at GSS Training, said: “We welcome the changes to the course content and materials. It is important the course continues to evolve to keep in step with developments within industry and technology.
“Our company has delivered CCNSG Safety Passport training since the scheme began in 1993. The course was written by the industry, for the industry. It is the only safety course that provides such a deep understanding of safety specifically for the engineering construction industry.
“The course is interactive and engaging; it challenges perspectives on safety and promotes a safety-first attitude. I am positive that this increases the safety of workers and the sites that they work on.”
Updated course content covers new fire extinguisher updates, isolation procedures and testing for stored energy, alongside greater emphasis on equality in the workplace and mental health issues. There is a more modern presentation style within the course and an emphasis in the tutor notes to facilitate in-depth discussions on specific critical topics.
Steve Franklin, Head of Products at the ECITB said: “The programme has evolved over three decades to ensure it moves with the times. This latest version of the course teaches the health and safety elements that employers have told us are important. Things like working at height and confined spaces, vibrating equipment, hazardous substances and the dangers of asbestos and radiation, as well as site traffic and the different types of signs and warnings.”
Now in its 30th year, the CCNSG Safety Passport is the nationally recognised safety card for the UK engineering construction industry.
The two-day training course gives delegates enhanced health and safety awareness delivered through face-to-face training, delegate discussion and shared experience followed by a knowledge test. It includes:
- The causes of accidents and incidents at work and the behaviours that could lead to these
- Communication, competence and positive safety cultures
- Health and safety legislation, regulations and procedures
- Safe use of tools and equipment in different working environments
- Safe systems of work, safe working practices and safe solutions to problems and emergencies
- Personal site safety responsibilities
But it isn’t only the course content that has evolved over this time.
Steve explained: “As well as the changes to course content during this time, we also introduced different processes for renewal. Before their passport expires, individuals can now sit an online test at an invigilated test centre or attend a one-day refresher (the CCNSG Renewal Course).”
Emma added: “Learners who are on site frequently may feel that they have retained their health and safety knowledge through regular inductions, toolbox talks and other parts of their safe system. For these delegates, the option to sit the online test at the test centre to renew their card is ideal.”
Since ECITB launched the programme in 1993, the CCNSG Safety Passport has coincided with a steady drop in annual worker fatalities and more than 1.2 million cards have been issued.
The programme is industry-led through the CCNSG Committee which comprises representatives from across the industry.
To read more on the CCNSG Safety Passport visit: www.ecitb.org.uk/ccnsg-safety-passport
*CCNSG stands for the Client Contractor National Safety Group that oversees the courses.