The Construction Clients’ Group is increasing pressure on clients to ensure workers are CSCS qualified by incorporating the requirement into its clients’ charter.

The CCG is also recommending that clients include a CSCS clause in their procurement contracts.

Graham Farrant, chairman of the CCG, said clients needed to insist on evidence that their contractors met the CSCS benchmark.

He said: “We will be working with clients to specify an appropriate deadline after which contractors should comply to a 100% cardholding workforce.

“This will encourage training and health and safety awareness.”

The CCG is amending its clients’ Charter partly in order to ensure that a clause about the CSCS scheme is included.

Farrant added that many CCG members are upping their support for the CSCS scheme. These include the Office of Government Commerce, which is recommending that government clients undertake regular audits to confirm the number of workers registered to CSCS meets promised targets.

George Brumwell, the CSCS scheme chairman, welcomed the CCG’s support.

He said: “Clients are the key to the success of the CSCS scheme. Contractors should be aware that many clients will not allow them to bid for business unless their workforce is fully carded.”

  • Graham Farrant, CSCS chairman, has left his full-time position as chief executive of Barking and Dagenham council to take up the position of chief executive of leisure management company Leisure Connection.