Introduced in 2001, the Health and Safety Test is a key example of how CITB-ConstructionSkills has been adding value to federations and employers for many years. In that time, it has become a standard setter for the industry, ensuring that everyone working in Construction and the Built Environment has a minimum level of Health and Safety knowledge and awareness.
It has also grown hugely in popularity with employers, with numbers of bookings rising tenfold from under 50,000 in 2001 to over 500,000 last year – with a test now being booked every 60 seconds.
During the time the Health and Safety test has been available, the industry has seen fatalities fall dramatically by approximately 58% (from 4.7 deaths per 100,000 in 1999/2000 down to 2.0 in 2010).
Kevin Fear, Head of Health, Safety and Environment Strategy at CITB-ConstructionSkills, said:
“The steady reduction of fatalities in the construction industry over the last 10 years is certainly attributable to an increased awareness of on-site Health and Safety issues. This, in turn, has been supported with the availability of Health and Safety courses such as those at the National Construction College and our Health and Safety Test. The introduction of health-related questions to the test is addressing the issue of illnesses that could lead to premature death – offering a rounded look at Health and Safety.
“Getting construction businesses, at all levels, to engage with Health and Safety is something which CITB-ConstructionSkills is keen to continue by listening to industry and developing its existing products and services to fit sector requirements. We are presently looking at raising awareness of on-site health issues in the hope that fatalities will be reduced even further.”
There are 13 different Healthy and Safety Tests available to industry, with CITB-ConstructionSkills listening to employers’ needs and working with partners such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), industry federations and employers to ensure that every sub-sector is accounted for.
Philip White, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction, says:
"I would like to congratulate the Health and Safety Test on achieving its tenth birthday. There is no doubt that the CITB-ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test has contributed to the increased awareness of health and safety that we have seen across the industry over the last decade. The test is a straightforward and independent assessment of employers and their workers which promotes a basic knowledge of health and safety principles in the construction industry.
“I would also like to state my appreciation of the work put in by all those from the industry who have supported the test, and served on the committees that have maintained the test questions, over the years."
The Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA) has been paramount in increasing the awareness of Health and Safety amongst its members.
Haydn Steele, Safety and Training Manager at the CPA and Chair of the Health and Safety Test Question sub-committee (HSTQSC), said:
“Health and Safety is, and should be, at the forefront of the industry, a fact which is certainly reflected by the high standard of site safety we have in the UK. Tests such as the CITB-ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test, encourage high standards as well as acting as a stepping stone for employers and their workforce to go on and develop their knowledge even further.
“Responsibility and awareness of Health and Safety issues is something which all members of the construction industry should be engaged with whether they are based on or off the construction site.”
Richard Hulland, Group Director for Quality, Safety and Environment at Atkins, added:
“The CITB-ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test is an excellent baseline for our industry. It has helped to create a greater awareness of Health and Safety on site and has given all those working in the industry a better understanding to challenge practices that don’t meet expected standards. Working with the CITB and other industry partners, Atkins has now also helped to extend the test to cover worldwide operations which is raising standards across the board.”
To mark the 10th anniversary of its Health and Safety test, CITB-ConstructionSkills has developed a series of top tips for business:
-Embed strong Health and Safety leadership and worker engagement as part of your business
Culture
-Ensure all managers and workers understand their Health and Safety responsibilities
-Provide everyone with appropriate training in order to develop their competence
-Make sure all employees understand their responsibilities with regards to health and safety
-Ensure your business is up to date with key points and guidance around Health and Safety environmental legislation as it develops
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