Update 22.1.2021

HS&E Tests

There have been updates to the provision of HS&E Testing across all three nations. Testing remains in place in England and has resumed again in Wales, but in Scotland, updated government guidance has meant Pearson VUE have ceased delivery of testing. Ensure you check CITB’s Urgent Messages page for the latest information before trying to book.  Or check the Pearson- VUE web site and look at country-specific testing information https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update

Pearson Vue have are regularly updating their Country-specific testing information with details of what is happening in each country.  The latest information includes this statement: You must bring and wear your own face mask while at a Pearson VUE-owned test centre and throughout your exam.  Any surgical or cloth face mask, including a homemade face mask, is acceptable as long as your nose and mouth are fully covered.  Face masks with exhalation valves and face shields are not acceptable. Candidates without a face mask will be denied testing services.  Pearson Vue are unable to provide face masks to candidates.

Candidates are encouraged to check your test confirmation email or letter for details of safety measures at the Test Centre including the requirement to wear face coverings, or for any changes to your scheduled appointment.  Limited capacity may cause delays in booking a test.

Visit CITB’s urgent messages page for further information on test centre availability across the whole of the UK.  CITB are working alongside their partners to increase the testing capacity, so please continue to visit the CITB website to check for availability and to book your test.

COVID – 19 Position CSCS

A key requirement for all applications (new or renewal) is proof that the applicant has passed the relevant CITB Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test within the last 2 years.  Based on COVID-19 issues CSCS is requesting employers and those responsible for site access and card checking procedures to use their discretion towards workers whose cards have expired since mid-March onward and who can provide evidence that they have been unable to sit their test or undertake the required training as a result of the closure of Test and Training centres.  This is at the employer’s discretion until the situation has stabilised.

What steps are CSCS taking?

CSCS recognise that construction workers may face delays in obtaining a card while test centres cannot run at full capacity or are required to close. Therefore, they are asking the industry to continue to support the following temporary measures:

1. Employers and those responsible for site access and card checking procedures to use their discretion towards workers whose cards have expired since March onward. But a worker must always hold the correct card for the job they do on site.

2. CSCS has extended the grace period for card renewals from 6 months after the card expires to 12 months. This means that the card can be renewed, once the CITB HS&E test has been passed, up to one year from the card’s expiry date. This will assist those applicants struggling to find availability to sit the test and renew their card.

CSCS will continue to monitor the situation and where necessary introduce further proactive measures to limit the impact on CSCS applicants and the wider industry.  You can visit www.cscs.uk.com/covid19  for the latest updates from CSCS.

Where it is not currently possible for individuals to renew their CSCS Cards or take the H&S Test.  CITB has initiated a ‘lite’ Health and Safety test as a temporary measure, so employers can assess the health and safety knowledge of individuals.

Note this is an interim and only to be used where testing capacity is limited.  It is designed to help employers run their own in-house interim testing to give a level of local assurance that an employee is safe to work on their site. Permission to allow the employee on site is at the discretion of the employer. Suggested test delivery guidelines are available to download here.

This product is free to download from the following sources:

CITB: LITE Operatives and Specialist HS&E TEST only

• Apple iOs version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)
• Android version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)
• PC download version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)

CITB: LITE Managers and Professionals HS&E TEST only

• Apple iOs version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)
• Android version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)
• PC download version (External link – Opens in a new tab or window)

Further Information

CSCS for information on card registrations and renewals and more detail on the H&S Test click here.

The easiest way to apply for a CSCS card is online: https://www.cscs.uk.com/applying-for-cards/  or download the App MyCSCS (in Android or iOs)

More information is available online from CITB on CSCS Tests is available here.

Important test delivery information pertaining to COVID-19 (coronavirus) (note the section for various parts of the UK, construction is deemed as essential, so testing should carry on, but check the status for your local test centre to ensure there are no local issues).

Further information from CSCS is shown here.

To visit the FIS COVID-19 Hub Click here

CSCS has launched virtual CSCS cards providing instant access to an individual’s training and qualification records. Virtual cards carry all the same information as physical cards but are stored within the My CSCS app, which is free to download via Google Play and Apple Store.

 Virtual cards benefit the card holder and their employer by providing both with instant access to the individual’s training and qualification records and eliminating the need to carry a physical card on site.

Alan O’Neile, Head of Communications at CSCS said: “This is a game changer for CSCS cards. The technology will improve safety and efficiency on construction sites by making it easier for the employer to check that workers hold the appropriate qualifications and training for the job they do on site.”

The virtual card is generated automatically and can be downloaded to the My CSCS app as soon as an application is approved, and payment is taken.  The virtual card can then be used immediately on site before the traditional plastic card has arrived in the post.  CSCS is keen to highlight to employers that virtual cards are safe and secure but, just like the traditional plastic card, they should always be electronically checked using the free Go Smart software.  This is to ensure the card is valid and to confirm that the holder has the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site.

Alan O’Neile continued: “As well as storing the virtual card the app has many other benefits. Card holders can view the status of their applications, manage their personal details and get in touch with our Customer Service team via the app.”

The My CSCS app is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing card holders with access to the information they need when they need it.

Visit www.cscs.uk.com/mycscs to find out more about virtual cards and the My CSCS app

Training and courses booked through CourseSight, a product of CSCS IT Partner Reference Point, will now be automatically added to a cardholder’s CSCS card.  CourseSight works by using the smart technology built into every CSCS card.  When booking onto a new course through CourseSight, cardholders or their employers can add their card number.  Once the training provider confirms completion of the course, the new course will automatically be added to the cardholder’s CSCS card, and can be viewed when the card is scanned using the Go Smart app.  Scanning the card will also show the expiry date of any courses which need to be regularly retaken.  With this new feature, a CSCS card can be used to track all a cardholder’s qualifications and training with no additional input from the cardholder or their employer.

For full details listen to the FIS Webinar recording as it provides information on this and a discounted offer for FIS members.  The recording is available online at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1385126675432183297

If you see a CSCS card that looks slightly different to what you expect, do not assume that it is fake. Instead, use one of these tools to check if the card is valid:

• The free Go Smart app: All CSCS cards are Smart, they contain a chip which allows the card to be scanned electronically. Employers can read the information stored on the card using a smartphone or tablet device with the free Go Smart app installed.
• The Go Smart online card checker.
• The CITB card checker (for cards issued before 9^th December 2019 only).
• Access your CSCS Online account: If you already have an account, please login to view the status of your card.

There are three card designs in circulation:

CSCS cards issued before 9^th December 2019

All cards issued before 9^th December 2019 look like the image below.

CSCS cards issued between 9^th December 2019 and end of May 2020

These cards have 2 key differences.

1. The cardholder’s full name appears on the card, instead of just their initials and last name.
2. The HS&E tested holofoil no longer appears on the card.

These changes are highlighted on the image below.

Cards issued since June 2020

A new card design was launched in June 2020.  The new design has the following design differences:

1. The smart chip embedded in the card is no longer visible
2. There is a contactless symbol next to the cardholder’s photograph

Current position 11.1.21 

Pearson Professional Centres continue to operate the HS&E test in England and Scotland. Due to social distancing measures the centres cannot run at full capacity and some are experiencing longer wait times than usual.

Testing in Pearson Professional Centres is currently suspended in Wales, this will be reviewed in line with any changes to the Government guidelines.

Please check your test confirmation email or letter for details of safety measures at the test centre including the requirement to wear face coverings, or for any changes to your scheduled appointment.

Visit CITB’s urgent messages page for further information on test centre availability across the whole of the UK.

CITB are working alongside their partners to increase the testing capacity, so please continue to visit the CITB website to check for availability and to book your test.

What steps are CSCS taking?

CSCS recognise that construction workers may face delays in obtaining a card while test centres cannot run at full capacity or are required to close. Therefore, tehy are asking the industry to continue to support the following temporary measures:

1. Employers and those responsible for site access and card checking procedures to use their discretion towards workers whose cards have expired since March onward. But a worker must always hold the correct card for the job they do on site.

2. CSCS has extended the grace period for card renewals from 6 months after the card expires to 12 months. This means that the card can be renewed, once the CITB HS&E test has been passed, up to one year from the card’s expiry date. This will assist those applicants struggling to find availability to sit the test and renew their card.

Keep informed

CSCS are issuing updates via the CSCS COVID hub here.  Any enquiries related to this matter should be emailed to communications@cscs.co.uk

You can also visit the CITB website regarding the actions they are taking around the availability of the HS&E test and other industry training.

See full updates from FIS on the COVID-19 crisis on our daily updated page here