What qualifications do I need to work on-site?
In order to work on a construction site, it is recommended that you have the correct certifications and health and safety qualifications. Construction workers are expected to hold at least a Green CSCS Labourer’s card for site entry. Additional qualifications, like EUSR training, are needed if working with and around underground utility services.
What is a CSCS card? Can I go on-site without it?
Whilst it is not a legal requirement to have a CSCS card to gain entry into a construction site, major contractors and employers require workers to hold at least a Green CSCS Labourers card. CSCS card stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme and is the nationally recognised card for construction workers in the UK, proving their competence, training and qualifications are up to industry standards.
What certificate do I need to work on a building site?
As mentioned previously, the minimum certificate most workers need to enter a building site is the Green Labourer’s CSCS Card. Without a valid CSCS card, many contractors and employers will not permit workers to enter the site due to health and safety regulations. Specialist training and qualifications may also be required if carrying out works on underground utilities. The worker must have EUSR registration and have completed EUSR training for specialised works on underground utilities, involving the safe location and excavation of buried services such as gas and electrical mains.
Do you need an NVQ to work on a building site?
No, NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications) are not required to work on a building site. However, they are often required for more skilled roles and higher-level CSCS cards, which are mainly for supervisory and management positions. In addition, workers may need an EUSR certification if they are involved in works in and around underground utilities that involve safely locating and excavating buried services.
It is essential that on-site workers complete the necessary training to legally work on-site. This includes the minimum requirement of obtaining a Green CSCS Labourer Card by completing the Health & Safety Awareness certification, ensuring they are competent in basic health and safety to be on-site. If they are performing specialised work that involves locating, digging, and excavating underground utilities, such as gas and electrical mains for buried services, they will need EUSR training and certification to safely locate and excavate these services.
Depending on the type of work being carried out, specialised EUSR training may be needed. See the full list of EUSR courses below:
- EUSR Supervision of Utilities Works – Construction Operations
- EUSR Category 1 – Locate Utility Services (HSG47)
- EUSR Category 2 – Implement Safe (Digging) Excavating Practices
- EUSR Combined Category 1 & 2 – Locate Utility Services and Implement Safe (Digging) Excavating Practices
- EUSR Category 3 – Install, Inspect and Remove Timber Support Systems
- EUSR Category 4 – Install, Inspect & Remove Steel Support Systems
- EUSR Category 5 – Install, Inspect & Remove Proprietary Support Systems
