CSCS Cards, The Law, And Working On Construction Sites

It's recommended that all construction workers have a valid CSCS card, but it's not the law. Although having a CSCS card isn't a legal requirement, you might not be able to start work on a construction site without one.

CSCS cards are often needed for working on construction sites because the law requires that workers have the skills and training to work safely, and a CSCS card is one way of proving this.

Most people who work in construction are familiar with CSCS cards. And if you're new to the industry, you'll probably hear about CSCS cards sooner rather than later. You'll be expected to have one on the majority of construction sites.

As an employer, you might want your workers to get CSCS cards, or wondering if they should. As a worker, you may also be questioning if you need a CSCS card. So let's take a look at the law surrounding CSCS cards, and when you need one.

What is a CSCS card?

CSCS stands for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

CSCS cards are a way of showing you have the training and qualifications you need to work on a construction site. They provide proof that you have the skills to do your job safely.

CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on site. By ensuring that the workforce are appropriately qualified the card plays its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.

In a similar way to how a driving license works, once you qualify and pass a test, you get your card. You can carry this around, and show it as evidence that you meet the standard.

To get a CSCS card, you usually need an appropriate qualification for your trade e.g. NVQ or degree etc. And you also need to pass a CITB health and safety test.

Because CSCS cards are designed to show that a person is suitably skilled for the job they do, there are different types of CSCS cards available. After all, not every person does the same job on a construction site.

• pick the CSCS card for your occupation
• provide proof of your qualifications
• pass the CITB health and safety test
• pay for the card (£36 at the time of writing)

CSCS cards come in different colours and for different trades. A red card if you are in training. A blue card for a skilled worker. Gold cards for supervisors and advanced trades. Black cards for managers.

Is a CSCS card required by law?

CSCS cards are not specifically required by law. It's not illegal to work on a construction site without a CSCS card. But you'll still probably need one to work in construction, because most employers will insist you have a CSCS card to work on their sites.

We mentioned that a CSCS card is like a driving license. It is in the sense that you get a card to show you are qualified to do something, in this case, work on a site. But, a driving license is legally required to drive a car. A CSCS card is not legally required to work on a construction site.

Holding a CSCS card is not a legislative requirement. It is entirely up to the principal contractor or client whether workers are required to hold a card before they are allowed on site. However, most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their sites to hold a valid card.

So if a CSCS card is not required by law, then why would you get one? It's an extra hassle... you have to sit a test every couple of years to get one, and it takes time and costs money. So why bother if you don't need one? Why do most construction employers require it?

It's because construction work is dangerous. And it is a legal requirement to have the skills and experience to work safely on a construction site. Having a CSCS card is proof that you have had relevant training and the skills needed to work on a construction site safely.

For employers, they can quickly check you meet industry standards by checking if you have a CSCS card.

(7) A contractor must not employ or appoint a person to work on a construction site unless that person has, or is in the process of obtaining, the necessary skills, knowledge, training and experience to carry out the tasks allocated to that person in a manner that secures the health and safety of any person working on the construction site.

A CSCS card is just one way of demonstrating that a worker has at least basic health and safety knowledge and certain qualifications. It can form part of the checks made to make sure that the people on site meet this legal requirement.

Find out more about CDM in The CDM Regulations Summary (and the 10 Golden Rules).

CSCS cards help prove you have certain qualifications but don't take into account the experience of the worker. They also don't recognise every qualification. So they don't entirely remove the need to check someone out thoroughly before they start work on a construction site. But they do help tick the skills, knowledge and training boxes.

Who needs a CSCS card?

Construction workers (and managers) are the only people who would need - or be suitable for - a CSCS card. If you carry out or manage work on a construction site, you might need to consider getting one. Not because they are a legal requirement, but because they are often a contractual requirement.

In the past, CSCS has produced cards for site visitors and none non-construction occupations. This meant everyone on site could have a card. However, the CSCS have recognised that this is an unnecessary burden. They have withdrawn the construction site visitors card and state that CSCS cards are intended for construction related occupations only.

As we have already discovered, you don't need a CSCS card by law. But workers on construction sites do need the necessary skills, knowledge, training and experience to carry out their job. And a CSCS card can help prove this.

A CSCS card will also help demonstrate that you are qualified and understand basic health and safety requirements.

Having a CSCS card doesn't automatically mean a person will work safely. Or that they are good at their job. But it can be one way of checking that they have appropriate training and qualifications. For this reason, many larger contractors and clients require CSCS cards for working on their sites.

Everyone on a construction site, CSCS card or not, needs a construction site induction and suitable supervision on site.

Can you work without a CSCS card?

If it's required by the people in charge of the site, then you have to have a CSCS card. Like a job application, if they require a certain qualification for that job, then you need to have it.

Even if you have an alternative qualification, or are just as good. If you don't have the required certificate (or in this case, a CSCS card), you're not getting the job.

But you can work in construction without a CSCS card if your employer doesn't require one.

Some contractors and clients don't require CSCS cards, and that doesn't mean they are working illegally or doing anything wrong. It might mean that they carry out their own assessments, or have their own ticketing system for example.

This can be to the same standard as a CSCS card, or to an even higher standard.

How long does a CSCS card last?

Most CSCS cards are valid for five years and can be renewed online. The expiry date will be printed on the card itself.

The renewal window for a CSCS card is a year, as you can renew six months before the expiry date and up to six months after the card expires. Any longer, and you'll need to re-apply.

You'll also need to advise CSCS if you change occupation since your card was issued, as you might need a different type of card.

---

CSCS cards can be part of your health and safety management, and vetting construction workers on your site. Whether you require them or not, you can use our free CDM compliance checklist to help you keep your site safe and comply with the law.