Employers urged to check CSCS cards the Smart way
19th April 2016

Home improvement and construction employers are being urged to carry out electronic checks on CSCS cards following extensive reports of counterfeit card rackets, even involving authentic looking smart cards.

A recent survey showed that fewer than 10% of potential employers were carrying out more than a visual check when presented with a CSCS card, while a simple electronic examination, possible on a smartphone or other device could detect even cards with fake chips.

CSCS Communications and Public Affairs Manager Alan O’Neile said: “CSCS believes that for construction sites to remain safe and productive all workers should have the correct qualifications and training for the type of work they carry out. This was one of CSCS’s primary objectives when introducing the electronic SmartCard in 2010. The CSCS SmartCard provides a simple and cost effective way to tackle fraud and verify that workers hold the correct qualifications and training before allowing them on site.

“The technology embedded in a CSCS card is free to use and allows a site manager access to a wealth of information about each worker, including their qualifications. By simply placing the card in a reader or onto a compatible device such as a tablet or smartphone you can instantly check the cards validity and the qualifications held by the card holder.”

CSCS is the leading skills certification scheme in the UK construction industry, providing proof that individuals working on site have the required trtaining and qualifications. More than two million CSCS cards are in circulation.

www.cscs.uk.com