FACT - Fencing and Construction Training
The largest specialist provider of training, advice and support to the fencing industry within the UK
The Health Safety and Environmental Awareness for Fencers training is a one day course. It is the approved course needed by all fencers and labourers and a requirement for green and blue card renewals.
This article will detail some recent developments concerning skills cards. It covers the CRO card replacement options for gate installers and site hoarders and the withdrawal of the CSCS yellow card. The article also covers the increased demand, from sites, for blue skilled worker cards.
Since the CRO (Construction Related Occupation) cards were discontinued in October 2017 there have been various issues for automated gate and barrier installers. Well, Fencing and Construction Training (FaCT) have come up with a solution to the problem.
The rules now require installers to hold a formal qualification. However, there was no specific qualification for gate installers. Therefore, FaCT have devised a programme that will allow the installers to gain a formal qualification in a much shorter time. And once again, FaCT have been able to access some funding!
The programme will allow the installer to gain a Blue FISS CSCS card, through the achievement of a Level 2 Diploma, in around 2 months, rather than the usual 6-9 months. The programme will include; just one day of classroom-based learning and one/two site visits. This programme is specifically for gate installers who have held a CRO card and part of the evidence required is the physical installation of a gate.
Hoarding companies have also suffered from the lack of CRO card replacement. FaCT have now been informed that these companies must put their employees through the Level 2 Diploma in fencing to replace the CRO card.
FaCT have funding for you to do this.
Get in touch with FaCT for more details about either of these programmes 0121 476 4731
Or email joe@fctrain.co.uk
Fencing and Construction Training (FaCT) have reported that many of their clients have experienced sites demanding Blue cards rather than Green cards. We spoke to Tim Drew (FaCT’s MD) and asked him to explain these developments.
“I visited a client of ours in Wales in May, they do a lot of work with a major housing developer. The housing developer is insisting that (from January 2019) all of the fencing company’s workers must hold the Blue FISS CSCS card rather than the Green. This is due to them all actually installing fences and they must be able to prove that they are qualified to do so”.
“I’ve also recently met with a local fencing company (west Midlands) who have experienced more of the same. They’ve put together a plan to upgrade their Green card holders to Blue cards. They’ve experienced sites demanding this, in line with the Build UK requirements.”
“Another company doing the same is an established VRS installation business in the North of England. They have committed to enrolling all new starters on to our VRS apprenticeship programme. The company have again experienced sites demanding Blue cards. So, the apprenticeship programme is one way for them to achieve Blue cards whilst utilising our funding!”
“it’s not just about meeting minimum requirements. Think of the increased reputation to the business when sites can see that you are taking strides to have all staff qualified to installer level. This can certainly help win contracts!”
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme aims to improve safety on UK Construction sites. To do this they have, over the past few years, focused on the achievement of construction related qualifications as a requirement for their cards.
They have now taken another step towards their goal. They have implemented the withdrawal of the yellow CSCS card, the site visitors card. This card was originally created for site visitors, who although were often visitors to site, were not directly involved in manual construction work.
CSCS have been in contact with companies from across the industry and created a plan that will lead to the withdrawal of the card. All Construction Site Visitor cards issued from 3rd September 2018 will expire on 31st August 2020 and CSCS will stop issuing the card from 28th February 2020. All site visitor cards issued before 3rd September 2018 will remain valid until their expiry date.
CSCS have announced that those people, who hold site visitor cards, but do not work in a construction related occupation, will not need to acquire a different CSCS card. It is only those, who directly work in a construction occupation that will need to do so.
Following the closure of the Construction Related
Occupation card in 2017, the Site Visitor card is now the only card issued without the need for the
applicant to achieve a recognised qualification. The Construction Site Visitor card does not support
industry’s desire for a fully qualified workforce and as such it will be withdrawn.
Graham Wren continued:
The withdrawal of the Site Visitor card will see an increase in the
numbers of individuals turning up to site without a card. We are not suggesting site supervisors and
managers turn non-cardholders away from site. If a worker is there to carry out a construction
related activity then a card is required as proof of their training and qualifications. If they are there
to perform a non-construction related activity it then becomes the responsibility of site supervisors
and managers to induct and supervise these people to ensure they remain safe at all times when on
site.”
We’re pleased to announce that we’re supporting Band of Builders as they take on the national Three Peaks Challenge.
A group of seven fundraisers from the organisation (Martin O’Donnell, Richard Patchesa, Gavin Crane, Louise Stevenson, Craig Cashmore, Andrew Pell & James Everitt) will be completing the National Three Peaks challenge, which includes scaling the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales (Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon) in just 24 hours…… Good luck guys!
Preparations are already underway – the guys have already completed the Yorkshire ‘Three Peaks’ as training ahead of taking on the national challenge in September. We’d love for you to join us in sponsoring the guys or donating to their fundraising page.
To organise sponsorship please contact: richardpatchesa@bandofbuilders.com
Or donate to their fundraising page here: https://www.gofundme.com/band-of-builders-3-peaks-challenge
For those of you who don’t know, Band of Builders is a charitable organisation that focuses on helpingconstruction workers in need. For an organisation that brings such joy and positivity they started out in the most tragic of circumstances. Keith Ellick, a close friend and colleague of founder Addam Smith, was devastatingly diagnosed with terminal cancer. Upon hearing this distressing news, Addam wanted to do anything in his power to help his mate.
The original plan was to landscape Keith’s garden. However, with the support of construction businesses and tradespeople from all over the UK this developed into a full-scale renovation of Keith’s house.
Lovely stuff, right? Well they didn’t stop there.
Since the first project Band of Builders has gone from strength to strength. BoB has taken on multiple projects and really made a difference to several people’s lives. One of the most heart-warming things is the numerous construction companies and tradesmen and women who have volunteered time as well as resources to make these projects happen.
But none of this is possible without fundraising. So, get behind the guys on the Three Peaks Challenge and donate or sponsor them today!
Training, the dreaded word that a lot of companies avoid until it’s too late. However, the most successful businesses embrace training and have a happier and safer workforce. So, this article is all about changing your perception, and showing you the benefits of training! We’ll also detail what fencing training is available.
As you’re aware there are elements of training that are legal requirements. The legislation makes it imperative that you complete the training. However, training is not just about ticking boxes. Think about the client’s perception, will they be more likely to opt for a company that has all of their training in place and have also gone the extra mile to ensure the efficiency and safety of their work force? Or one that hasn’t? In a world in which health and safety is increasingly under the spotlight, training can hugely impact the image of your business.
Alongside this, staff members are motivated by companies that invest in them and their future. Your workforce will be more motivated if they feel valued and important! This will also increase the loyalty of your workforce. It is reported that those who can see their company investing in them are four times more likely to stick around, reducing your staff turnover.
Training is also all about improving existing skills and learning new ones. Training your staff will make them better at their jobs and it will allow them to complete jobs more effectively. As businesses we should always be striving to improve the quality of what we provide, and training is one way to do this! As the famous saying goes ‘There is always room for improvement’.
One of the most important reasons for training in the fencing industry is to help new entrants learn the skills of the trade alongside addressing the industry wide skills and staff shortage. If this great industry to which we belong is to continue and thrive we need new entrants and we need them now!
FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING! The government have provided funding to build upon the skills and secure the future of the industry. Funding is available to support the achievement of Blue FISS CSCS cards, which are now the standard requirement on many sites in the UK.
Many sites now also require the CITB Site Safety Plus programme of courses. These courses can also be used as part of the requirement for the different levels of FISS CSCS card.
There are also many vocational courses that can be utilised to upskill your workforce. Courses such as; Abrasive Wheels, Cat and Genny, Safe use of Power Tools and much more!
Below we’ve provided a list of some of the courses and qualifications that are also available:
Level 1 Health and Safety for Labourers
Level 2 Diploma for Installers (Funded)
Level 3 Diploma for Supervisors and Contract Managers
Level 5 Diploma For Senior Managers
Health and Safety Awareness for Fencers and Labourers
Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme
Site Management Safety Training Scheme
Health and safety testing
And many more
Get in touch if there is something that you would like more information about. You can also click on the course names above which will direct you to the course pages.
Give us a call on 0121 476 4731
A Yorkshire based scaffolding company has been fined £33,333.33 and ordered to pay £14,368.40 in costs. They were ordered to pay after a worker fell around 4 metres through a fragile roof light on an asbestos cement sheet roof.
The worker sustained numerous serious injuries including; a dislocated and fractured wrist, crushed nerves in his wrist, a broken nose and also sprains to his shoulder and ankle.
An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) made the discovery that the scaffolding company did not identify that the workers were carrying out work on a fragile roof. Therefore, they failed to put measures in place that would prevent falls and protect the workers.
The HSE inspector commented: “Working on a fragile roof is a known risk in the industry and this accident could have been prevented.”
A metal fabrication company has been fined £4,000 and also ordered to pay £957.65 in costs. The fine was issued after an investigation by the HSE after a worker was injured using a machine.
The incident happened when the worker was using a machine to drill a hole in a metal fence post. The glove on her hand got entangled with the drill-bit and the workers finger was amputated to the first knuckle.
The HSE inspector commented that: “This injury could have been prevented by putting in place a simple guarding measure.”
A Swindon based construction company has been fined £200,000 and also ordered to pay costs of £5565.80 after the death of a worker. The employee was driving a forward tipping dumper in May 2016. The dumper became stuck on a spoil heap, the employee then jumped off the vehicle, which then flipped over and caused serious head injuries to the employee. The employee unfortunately died from these injuries.
The HSE found that there were no barriers in place to prevent over-running. They also found that an excavator had removed some of the spoil heap which created a sheer face.
The HSE inspector said: “The risk associated with creating spoil heaps had not been properly assessed. Either the company should have decided on a safer method which avoided the need for the dumper to access spoil heaps (as they have done after the accident), or they should have introduced stricter management arrangements which would have included bunds at a safe distance from the edge.”
These cases are just a few examples of what happens if health and safety is neglected. They also demonstrate how serious the consequences can be for the workforce.