New Training Regime For Scaffolding Firms "CISRS Operatives Training Scheme (COTS)"

The Construction Industry Scaffolder's Record Scheme (CISRS) has been the industry recognised scaffold training scheme for over 30 years.  It has recently set out new mandatory requirements for all new entrants to the scaffolding industry after 1 September 2013.

Why Change?

The changes mean that all new entrants and labourers will learn the basics of the industry and how to keep safe.  It is designed to ensure that existing operatives are up to date with modern procedures which promote safe practices at work. It also helps the scaffolding sector meet the United Kingdom Contractors Group (UKCG) requirement that every operative must have received some formal training before being allowed on their sites.

New Entrants:

Before issuing their initial CISRS Trainee Scaffolder or Scaffolding Labourer Card, new entrants must do the following:

  1. Complete a one day CISRS course to be carried out at CISRS approved centres across the UK.  Alternatively, the course can be carried out 'in house' if a company has the appropriate facilities to do so.  The in-house course provider must be a suitably trained member of staff who has applied to, and been assessed and approved by, the CISRS.
This course comprises of tuition, practical exercises and examinations. It covers, amongst many things, consideration of relevant regulations and codes of practice, general responsibilities, servicing of equipment, electrical safety, working at height and site transport safety.


  1. Pass a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Health, Safety and Environment Test (or possess a recognised exemption).

Once the relevant CISRS Card has been obtained, CISRS scaffolding labourers will be required to repeat the course every 5 years.

Existing Card Holders:

Existing scaffolding labourer cardholders will be required to complete the course as a refresher training prior to renewing their CISRS Card.

For further information please visit www.cisrs.org.uk  

© MacRoberts 2013

Disclaimer

The material contained in this article is of the nature of general comment only and does not give advice on any particular matter. Recipients should not act on the basis of the information in this e-update without taking appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.