Latest:
Smart card roll-out possible by spring
17:03 09 Dec 2005
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Biometric readers and Smart cards could replace traditional
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards on site by as
early as next spring.
CSCS has been working with IT firms Causeway Technologies and ISL, as well as two unnamed major contractors, over the last few months to pilot the use of biometrics on construction sites.
The sites were set up so workers could have their Smart cards, which consist of a computer chip containing details of the employee's name and occupation, read by scanners as they arrived and left their place of work.
Clients such as BAA and the Home Office, which have already shown a keen interest in the pilot, could soon be looking to insist that contractors use the system on their sites to address health and safety and security issues.
The Home Office might be the first to turn the screw as it has sat in on meetings with the CSCS working party.
However, costs for introducing biometric technology, such as turnstile readers and iris and fingerprint scanners, could be substantial for contractors, running into thousands of pounds.
"Early indications from the pilots are that they have been a huge success," said Graham Medcroft, vice chairman of CSCS. "Contractors now want to determine how it can be rolled out and what the costs implications are."
Medcroft is expected to put the pilot's findings and proposals on how to roll out Smart cards across the industry to the CSCS board at the end of this year.
If the proposals are approved, CSCS will then launch a consultation with industry that should lead to a voluntary roll-out of Smart cards on sites.
Those contractors keen on the scheme can expect to be up and running with the system as soon as next spring.
"I think we will find that contractors will take a pick and mix approach to this new technology," said Medcroft. "Some contractors want to link their cards straight to their human resources department to see which employees have carried out their site inductions and who has completed a first-aid course."
CSCS has been working with IT firms Causeway Technologies and ISL, as well as two unnamed major contractors, over the last few months to pilot the use of biometrics on construction sites.
The sites were set up so workers could have their Smart cards, which consist of a computer chip containing details of the employee's name and occupation, read by scanners as they arrived and left their place of work.
Clients such as BAA and the Home Office, which have already shown a keen interest in the pilot, could soon be looking to insist that contractors use the system on their sites to address health and safety and security issues.
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The Home Office might be the first to turn the screw as it has sat in on meetings with the CSCS working party.
However, costs for introducing biometric technology, such as turnstile readers and iris and fingerprint scanners, could be substantial for contractors, running into thousands of pounds.
"Early indications from the pilots are that they have been a huge success," said Graham Medcroft, vice chairman of CSCS. "Contractors now want to determine how it can be rolled out and what the costs implications are."
Medcroft is expected to put the pilot's findings and proposals on how to roll out Smart cards across the industry to the CSCS board at the end of this year.
If the proposals are approved, CSCS will then launch a consultation with industry that should lead to a voluntary roll-out of Smart cards on sites.
Those contractors keen on the scheme can expect to be up and running with the system as soon as next spring.
"I think we will find that contractors will take a pick and mix approach to this new technology," said Medcroft. "Some contractors want to link their cards straight to their human resources department to see which employees have carried out their site inductions and who has completed a first-aid course."
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