Firms including ADT, Group 4 Technology and Wessex Fire & Security were among the first to register for it.
The British Security Industry Association, British Fire Protection Systems Association, the Electrical Contractors Association and ECA Scotland (Select) have formed a new partnership with the Joint Industry Board and JIB Scotland to provide the card.
Construction sites operated by the Major Contractors Group have begun enforcing the requirement for all personnel on site to carry a relevant health and safety/competence card. The scheme has been designed to meet this requirement and is believed to be more relevant to the security and fire sectors than previous schemes.
The official MCG deadline for obtaining the cards was last December 31, but the trade associations have been liaising with the MCG for their support in showing a degree of leniency towards security and fire installers because of the unavoidable delay in establishing the new scheme.
Despite this, installers should be aware that members of the MCG may now refuse to work with, or sub-contract work to, non card-holding installers. Other construction groups could follow. The trade associations are urging members to apply for the cards as soon as possible.
“In order to work safely on a construction site it is necessary to have knowledge of the proper procedures,” said BSIA marketing and export services director Stephen Adams. “This card will ensure that security and fire systems installers have the required competence and the knowledge to operate safely while installing equipment.
“The BSIA is delighted to have reached agreement with the BFPSA, ECA and Select to approach this as a joint venture.”
