Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, all construction workers in Ireland – including apprentices and trainees – are legally bound to hold a valid Safe Pass Registration Card. With the Covid 19 pandemic affecting Safe Pass Training, we answer some frequently asked questions.
My Safe Pass is out of date, does that mean I can’t work go back to construction work?
Due the Covid 19, measures have been taken to ensure individuals can go back to work. Contingency measures are now in place for expired Safe Pass cards (after 1 March 2020) which cannot be renewed. These cards will be deemed valid until further notice. For more information and to view the amended regulations, click the link: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Legislation/SI-No-102-of-2020.html.
My Safe Pass is in date, can I return to work?
Yes, construction workers are allowed to return to work from the 18th May where it is safe to do so. Check with your employers about changes to procedures and any other requirements they might have.
How do I get my first Safe Pass card?
Currently, there are no Safe Pass courses running. As per the government announcement on 8th June 2020, training will resume in the coming weeks with guidelines in place. Should you wish to be notified when FRS Training course dates are live, please register here: https://www.frstraining.com/courses/register-your-interest/
Can I do my Safe Pass online?
To date there Is no Safe Pass course currently available online.
Do I have to complete the CIF online course?
It is not a legal requirement, but many construction companies ask their employees to complete it before returning to work. It takes approx. 15 mins and is free. More details can be found here: https://cif.ie/induction/
What do I have to do to ensure the safety of my employees on site?
The CIF have a resource pack that provides guidance on how companies should prepare in advance of any announcement. Download the resource pack here: https://cif.ie/induction/
Are there any Covid 19 Compliance Courses specifically for construction?
Yes, as construction sites are required to have Covid -19 Compliance Officers in place on each site, FRS Training have developed the training to meet your requirements. The course is specifically for construction workers and will cover Risk Assessment, Infection Control, Safe Systems of Work, and Duties of a Covid 19 Compliance Officer. This 2 hour course is designed for site managers, health and safety officers, EHS Advisors and any employee given responsibilities to manage COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) on site.