The Major Contractors Group (MCG) has announced that, following a review identifying Supervisor Health & Safety training as an operational priority, all supervisors on their sites must attend ConstructionSkills' Supervisors Safety Training Scheme as part of their commitment to Health and Safety training.

The MCG said the decision demonstrated that supervisory Health and Safety training is an area to which industry must turn its attention.

With the MCG representing the UK's largest construction companies, this is a significant move for the sector. It is estimated that, as a result of this commitment to a safer workforce, thousands of supervisors will receive health and safety training from ConstructionSkills by 2010.

The two-day Site Supervisors' Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS), which is part of the ConstructionSkills' Site Safety Plus (SSP) suite of courses, provides an introduction to health and safety, welfare and environmental issues. It is designed for those requiring an understanding of the current legislation that applies to them and their work activities.

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It is intended that MCG companies will lead the drive to ensure that all supervisors

achieve the SSP qualification by 2010. Those who have already achieved this qualification will be exempt until the renewal date, which is five years after certification, following which they will be required to renew the qualification. After the initial two-year period, MCG will implement a "zero tolerance" policy for those without this qualification on MCG sites, effective from 1 January 2010.

Vaughan Burnand, Chief Executive of Shepherd Construction and Chairman of the MCG Health & Safety Group said of the new initiative: "By working together MCG members have made a tremendous contribution to improving conditions on site and in reducing the incidence of accidents and work related ill health.

"Our front line supervisors assume huge responsibility and we are very pleased to have been working with ConstructionSkills in the development of a course designed specifically to help these supervisors fulfil these responsibilities. The course has been designed not only to refresh their Health & Safety knowledge but also to enhance their skills in intervention techniques, managing behavioural change and communication."

(CD/JM)