The importance of the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) in providing the basis for certification schemes within the electrotechnical industry has been underlined by its recent extension to two new industry sectors: fire and security and datacomms.
The ECA, together with the British Security Industry Association, British Fire Protection Systems Association and Select, has agreed to support the ECS for the provision of fire and security system cards for work on construction sites. A similar initiative has been developed for the datacomms industry, with the launch of the ECS Datacommunications Card. Both schemes underline the welcome move towards industry-wide certification schemes that confirm both the level of technical competence and that of basic health and safety awareness.

The need for health and safety awareness will be demonstrated at the forthcoming ECA ZAP conference. Highlights will include legislation and enforcement from the HSE, client insistence of proof of health and safety knowledge for all site personnel and scope for reducing insurance premiums resulting from the evidence of good health and safety practice.

We will also announce the safety statistics for 2003 at the conference, which will tell us if the industry is making progress towards its accident reduction targets. We look forward to seeing you at the conference to be held on 29 April at Acton Trussel near Stafford.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor