Safe Pass Training for Construction Workers in Ireland

Thursday, 01 April 2010 08:55

Safe Pass is a programme designed to raise awareness of the dangers on construction sites and the importance of safety in the construction industry in Ireland. It is a one-day training programme organised by the training and employment agency of Ireland (FÁS) for a range of people who have any involvement with construction projects, whether these are actual construction workers or occasional visitors to construction sites. For a number of these personnel, attendance at a Safe Pass training programme is mandatory, whilst for others it is voluntary, though recommended.

Category of worker for whom attendance at a Safe Pass programme is mandatory:

Any craftsman involved on a construction site
Apprentices to the construction Industry
General construction workers
Charge-hands and on-site security workers
Drivers who deliver equipment or materials to a construction site
Students doing work placements, or seasonal work, on construction sites

Category of workers for whom Safe Pass training is not mandatory, but is desirable:

On site office workers and canteen workers
Drivers delivering to offices or canteens
Architects, surveyors, engineers and archaeologists
Agents, managers, inspectors and advisors not directly involved in construction work
Clients, representatives and visitors

The aims of the programme:

The aims of Safe Pass are simple. The programme is designed to raise awareness of the importance of implementing and adhering to safety standards in the world of building construction. By making Safe Pass certification mandatory to those personnel directly involved, accidents both to themselves and their co-workers will be prevented, and health hazards will be identified and avoided. FÁS will keep a register of all personnel who receive health and safety training and issue a Safe Pass card to certify that the holder has received approved safety awareness training.

Delivery of the programme:

The training programme is delivered by qualified tutors with Safe Pass accreditation or a similar qualification, who have recent experience in on-site construction work. They must have had at least 5 years' service in the construction industry within the past 7 years.

Content of the training programme:

The programme will cover several units designed to highlight health, hygiene and safety awareness. These will include:

the roles and responsibilities of personnel
prevention and reporting procedures of accidents
safety measures in various working conditions (e.g. heights, confined spaces, and working with overhead and underground electrical supplies)
safe use of tools, vehicles and protective clothing
working with excessive noise or vibrations.

Cost of attendance and duration of the card:

For all workers for whom attendance is mandatory, the cost of the Safe Pass training course will be met by the employer. Building contractors are required by law to ensure that their employees receive training. Under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act of 2005, the employer should also allow employees time off for such training without loss of pay. The exception for this would be work experience students or college/university students applying for seasonal work. These students would have to pay for their training themselves or negotiate with their school or college careers advisors. The cost of the training is between 80 and 100 euro.