The CSCS Green Card for labourers is one of the most sought after safety certifications in the UK, and a requirement for all Build UK sites. If you want to work in the construction industry, the CSCS Green Card is the minimum standard you are likely to have to reach to work safely.
Because our CSCS Green Card courses have changed a bit recently, we thought we’d go back over the differences between the two CSCS approved courses we currently offer: the CITB Health & Safety Awareness and the Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment.
What’s changed about the routes to the CSCS Green Card?
There are two main reasons for the confusion around the CSCS Green Card in recent months. One is that the IOSH Working Safely qualification, which used to be the third main route to the Green Card, is no longer accepted by CSCS as an approved course. This is because the content of the course differs too much from the others, and not because of any issue with the quality of the course.
The other reason is that Qualsafe, whose Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment course we previously offered via Zoom, have retired their version of the course. While the course itself is still approved by the CSCS, we’ve had to switch to another provider (ETA) who offer the course online as video training. The course content is identical to the Qualsafe version, just on a different platform.
CSCS Green Card courses offered by SAMS
SAMS currently offers two different courses to help you qualify for your CSCS Green Card: the CITB Health & Safety Awareness and the Level 1 Health & Safety in a Construction Environment.
Once you have passed one of these courses, you will also need to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) test. Once both have been completed, you can apply for your CSCS Green Card.
CITB Health & Safety Awareness
The CITB Health & Safety Awareness course has been the industry standard site safety qualification for decades. A government sponsored organisation, the CITB has been at the heart of workplace safety in the UK since its inception in the 1960s. Its courses are among the most trusted and relied upon in the UK, and a pivotal part of construction safety.
The CITB Health & Safety Awareness course provides learners with an overview of workplace health & safety through the lens of a construction site. The course will teach you safety principles that apply to all workplaces, but with a focus on areas that are particularly relevant to work sites, such as working at height and working with heavy vehicles and equipment.
SAMS offers this course both as Zoom and classroom training. This means that you will learn together with other people, with the opportunity to ask questions and benefit from our experienced trainers. This learning method is great for people who benefit from a structured learning environment, and can attend calls or our Kent training centre at the required times.
Level 1 Health & Safety in a Construction Environment
The Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment course is another route to your CSCS Green Card, and is fully approved by the CSCS. As an Ofqual regulated course, it is part of the government’s RQF scheme, and has been specifically designed to cover all aspects of construction site safety.
The content on this course is broadly identical to the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course, so there’s no need to worry about it being a lesser qualification. The main difference is that it is licensed to be administered by multiple different awarding bodies, of which ETA is one. The CITB course by contrast is solely administered by the CITB itself.
Unlike the CITB course, we only offer the Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment course as online video training. Instead of joining a Zoom call or attending our training centre, you’ll watch pre-recorded videos and answer questions online. This means you can take the course whenever you like, with none of the usual time commitments.
Other construction safety courses
While these are the only two accepted routes to the CSCS Green Card, we also offer a range of other health and safety courses for the construction industry.
These include routes to the CSCS White Card for academically qualified persons, and courses for both site managers and supervisors. Courses include:
Zoom/classroom
NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction
CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme
CITB Site Manager Safety Training Scheme
QA Level 2 Award in Working at Height
Video e-Learning
Abrasive Wheels Video Training
Working at Height Video Training
Manual Handling Video Training
Contact us today
SAMS offers a range of flexible training options, and can provide training at your facility if preferred. For more information on any of our construction safety courses and to enquire about bookings, get in touch with us today.