Major Contractors Group Insists on Additional Training for Supervisors
The
body representing the
The
Major Contractors Group (MCG) made the move following a review identifying
Supervisor Health and Safety training as an operational priority.
It
is estimated that, as a result of this commitment to a safer workforce,
thousands of supervisors will receive health and safety training from sector
skills council ConstructionSkills by 2010. It is intended that MCG companies
will lead the drive to ensure that all supervisors achieve the SSP qualification
by this date.
Those
who have already achieved this qualification will be exempt until the renewal
date, which is five years after certification, following which they will be
required to renew the qualification.
The
two-day Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS), which is part of the
ConstructionSkills’ Site Safety Plus (SSP) suite of courses, provides an
introduction to health and safety, welfare and environmental issues. It is
designed for those requiring an understanding of the current legislation that
applies to them and their work activities.
After
the initial two-year period, MCG will implement a “zero tolerance” policy for
those without this qualification on MCG sites, effective from 1 January 2010.
Vaughan
Burnand, Chief Executive of Shepherd Construction and Chairman of the MCG
Health & Safety Group, said: “By working together MCG members have made a
tremendous contribution to improving conditions on site and in reducing the
incidence of accidents and work related ill health.”