Unite, the UK’s construction union, is informing members that it is not necessary to obtain a temporary Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) Emergency Covid-19 Card to gain access to building sites during the coronavirus outbreak.
Workers that because of the lockdown are unable to renew a recently expired CPCS card, which ensures contractors can verify that on-site staff have the appropriate skills and qualifications, are able to use their expired cards during the emergency.
Unite said the temporary card’s introduction is being viewed as ‘profiteering’ within the industry. The organisation’s national officer for construction, Jerry Swain, said: “It is not necessary to pay for an Emergency Covid-19 CPCS card, and its introduction is being seen across the construction sector as profiteering. Those responsible for this crass idea should hang their heads in shame.
“Industry in the main is initially excepting a six-month grace period on recently expired CPCS cards or until health and safety testing resumes.
“If any company requests confirmation of this, they can contact the National Open College Network (NOCN) who will confirm this stance from many trade associations.
“There are, however, some companies who believe that this temporary card should be in place. If this is the case then they should be bearing the costs and not our members.”
