When you apply for a CSCS Smart Card, you will in most cases need to pass a health, safety & environment test before the card can be awarded. The Construction Skills Certification Scheme covers more than 350 jobs, all of which have different health and safety needs according to their emphases. A scaffolder, for example, will need to pass the Working at Heights Health Safety Test before he or she is eligible for a CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Registry Scheme) card. The types of CSCS Card available vary according to the site position you fill: so you need to be sure that you are applying for the right card in order that you take the correct test.
How Will You Know What CSCS Card You Need?
You’ll know the kind of CSCS Card you need to apply for once you have contacted Construction Site Skills. You can trace the kind of card you need against your occupation using links on our site – or call us and talk to an agent. Your agent will talk to you about the kind of work that you do, and the qualifications (NVQs or SVQs) that you already hold. Your levels of qualification will determine the type of card you should be applying for and thus the type of Health Safety Test you need to take.
There are 11 types of CSCS Card, which are colour coded for easy identification. These cards are: red (four types); green; blue (two types); gold (two types); black; white and yellow; white and grey; and yellow.
What Do the Colour Codes Mean on CSCS Cards?
The colour coding on the cards refers to classes of occupation and skill level. The four types of red card are intended to cover different situations where workers either have experience but no qualifications, or qualifications but no experience. The type of CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test you will have to complete in order to qualify for a red card depends on your trade or site position rather than your level of qualification, though – so you can’t know what kind of test you need just because you know what kind of card you need.
The colour coding of the CSCS Cards changes as you rise in terms of skills and experience. A green card is for basic site operatives (like labourers). Blue cards denote that an NVQ or SVQ level 2 has been achieved, or that you have achieved a similar qualification relevant to your trade. Gold cards denote NVQ and SVQ level 3, while black manager cards are equal to levels 4 and higher.
Case Studies of CSCS Health, Safety & Environment Test Routes
A site worker has an NVQ or SVQ Level 2 in industry appropriate qualifications. He or she is a scaffolder by trade. He or she must pass the Working at Heights Health Safety Test before he or she qualifies for a Blue CSCS card.
A site operative has Construction NVQ Level 1, or is granted a recommendation by his or her employer. He or she must pass the Operative CSCS Health, Safety and Environment Test before qualifying for a Green CSCS card.