In the early 1990s a consortium of major industrialists from the power generation, steel, oil, gas and chemical industries recognised the need to train their contractors on basic safety. Most were providing a site induction, some were training their contractors, but there were no common standards. Two groups, in the North East of England and in West Wales, working in co-operation, set out to standardise their basic safety training and devised a core curriculum which became the foundation of a training scheme which has grown to national proportions.
The scheme, which results in the award of a 'safety passport’ to contractor site personnel, is monitored and controlled by a national steering group known as the Client/Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG). Representatives from major clients serve on the CCNSG and there is also representation from contractors, training providers, trade unions and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The CCNSG meets regularly to ensure that standards are being maintained and that the content of the training scheme continues to meet current safety legislation and current safety practices.
History of Scheme