CJ team gets full marks in CSCS test

by Paul Howard

The CJ editorial team undertook the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) health and safety test last week to gain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) site visitor cards.

The CJ team achieved a 100% success rate (compared to an industry average of 86%), despite possessing only modest direct site experience and with a handful of staff taking the test without revising from the handbook.

One successful candidate said: "Given accusations that the test is too easy and doesn't test practical site knowledge, it seemed important to find out whether someone with little personal site experience and no training or revision could pass the test."

Tony Merricks, chairman of the CSCS, said the test was designed to relate to the training already available to the workforce from employers and through toolbox talks. "It was decided on balance to switch from compulsory attendance on a training course, where people don't necessarily pay attention, to a test which would provide proof of a basic level of health and safety awareness. Of course, no system is absolutely perfect."

Nevertheless, the level of difficulty of the test was criticised by some CJ staff: "It was too easy, and probably too forgettable," said one. "Will people remember?" asked another.

However, some staff felt they were slightly more aware of health and safety as a result of sitting the test or revising beforehand.

"It might prompt people to be a better citizen on site, with a better awareness of what to do," said one CJ writer.