In this blog we answer your questions about the CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) course and how you can get your CSCS Labourer’s card. It’s important to understand your responsibilities if you think anyone’s health and safety is at risk.

What is health and safety awareness?

Health and safety is a constant awareness that every worker should have at all times, being aware of how they are working and able to recognise hazards they may face or potential hazards they identify. It’s all about mitigating risks and providing a workplace culture of safe working practices and procedures. When proper safety precautions are in place everyone feels safe doing their job and are more productive. Workplaces where employees are involved in decisions and accountability are generally safer and healthier, it’s important to talk, listen and cooperate with each other to identify the best solutions to the problem. A safe workplace is an efficient one!

What is the CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) Course?

The one day health and safety course is designed to provide an understanding of potential hazards construction workers may face on site. It is the most recognised qualification for those that are looking to obtain their CSCS Labourer’s card. This CITB Site Safety plus course is aimed at those either already working in the construction and civil engineering industry or considering it.

By the end of the course, you will have covered topics such as:

• Workers' individual responsibilities for their own safety and the safety of others
• Typical construction hazards and how these are controlled
• How everyone can help achieve better practical standards of safety on site
• Legal requirements and liabilities
• Working at height
• Manual handling
• Fire prevention
• Work equipment
• Occupational health

At the start of the course you will be provided with the mandatory course publication ‘Construction health and safety awareness (GE707)’, to support you during your course and retained upon completion of the course for further reference.

The examination is a multiple-choice test taken at the end of the course, which must be completed within 30 minutes. The question paper consists of 25 questions; 20 questions are worth 1 mark each and 5 questions are worth 2 marks each. The learner must obtain 25 marks out of 30 (83%) in order to pass the exam. It is possible to re-sit the exam should the learner fail. If the learner scores 18 marks (60%) or less in the examination, they must attend the full HSA course again.

Certification is valid for 5 years; to remain certificated and to renew your CSCS Labourers card you will need to retake the course before the expiry date.

Can I do the health and safety awareness course online?

Yes! The CITB developed an online version of the CITB Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) course that can be completed entirely online. We deliver this regularly online via Zoom, with our experienced tutors offering the classroom experience from the comfort of your own home or office. This online course is ideal for those who wish to apply for the CSCS green labourer card. At ESS we run regular online health and safety awareness courses, you can either search for dates via the course page or view our training calendar for a full list of upcoming public courses by month and year. You can book online or contact us and we will do the booking for you.

How long does the one day health and safety course last?

This is a one day course and delegates are required to complete the full day (7.5 hours) to be eligible for certification.

What CSCS card do I need for a labourer?

For those working as a labourer, you will need the CSCS Green Labourer’s card. As we’ve discussed the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course is the most popular route to gaining this card quickly.

How do I get a labouring CSCS card?

It is easy to apply for your CSCS green labourer card online, make sure you have followed steps 1 and 2 before applying and paying for your card:

Step 1 – Get a UK qualification in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment

Step 2 – Pass the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Test

Step 3 – Pay a fee of £36 by debit card, phone or cheque

CSCS have provided a short video here which explains the process in more detail.

Or simply call us on 0115 8970 529 or email [email protected] and we can provide the full information and guide you through the process.

Can you labour without a CSCS card?

Holding a CSCS card is not a legal requirement and it’s entirely up to the principal contractor, client or employer if workers are required to hold a CSCS card before they are allowed on site. Although you will find that most principal contractors and house builders do now require workers on their sites to hold a valid CSCS card.

CSCS cards were initially introduced under advice from the government which is why most sites and major contractors use them. In 2015 the Construction Leadership Council decided the CSCS card would be the only card accepted on sites to provide evidence of workers qualifications.

If working as a labourer, then holding the CSCS labourers card proves to employers, supervisors and managers that you have completed the necessary training and have suitable knowledge to perform your job safely.