UK Contractors Group members are to adopt a new training standard to ensure that supervisors working on their sites can demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge and skills to supervise their workers effectively

Stephen Ratcliffe, director of UK Contractors Group (UKCG), said:“The group has identified the need to tighten up the competence of supervisors to help improve health and safety. This standard is the means by which members will tackle the issue.

“There are a number of courses available that will deliver training to the standard. But it is not our intention to recognise or accredit particular courses. It will be down to individual members to decide on appropriate training. This is a common standard that all our members will adopt.”

The standard will take effect from 1 January 2010. Supervisors must demonstrate that they have satisfied the following criteria:

  • they have sufficient knowledge of health and safety gained at a construction-specific course of at least two days’ duration;
  • they have sufficient skills to be an effective supervisor of their workers. They will need to demonstrate having attended training, which includes an understanding of behavioural issues, leadership and effective intervention skills. This training must include delivering effective presentations, role-play and testing. Successful candidates must be issued with a certificate to demonstrate reaching a suitable standard.

The UKCG represents 29 contractors operating in the UK on construction-specific issues.