Should there be an Archaeology Specific CSCS Card?

[trowelmonkey]

Since we've gotten all hetted up about H&S, here's something I've been thinking about this summer. Should there be an archaeology specific CSCS card to help individuals recognise risk and good practice in our highly irregular profession. Do people think that the white card covers us well enough as it is? Would this be just another unnecessary bit of hoop jumping?

[lucy78green]

Yes, I know most of the Safepass course I did was largely irrelevant to me and boring. Therefore more of a chance of me not paying attention and just memorizing the bits to pass the test at the end - no knowledge retained after this! If it had been relevant I probably would remember more. Although all the rules about having running water on site and that portaloos were only a temporary measure made me laugh..

Lucy

[Gilraen]

Most reasons archaeologists get CSCS cards is because they are a requirement on most construction sites these days. H&S issues are a major concern for archaeological companies these s days as more and more tenders are looking closely at these issues. I do think that creating a CSCS archaeology card would take a while as it would have to go through all the HSE regulations and be certified by them otherwise it wouldn't be worth the paper its printed on.

[trowelmonkey]

I must admit that I like the whole CSCS card scheme in principle because it has independent accreditation. In theory, each cardholder has undergone the same level of awareness training, so there is a benchmark for what's common knowledge. I think certain issues recurr again and again. I would like to think that forewarned is forearmed. Even what should be a safe working environment can be made dangerous by lack of forethought and planning.

A very basic example: Much better that a digger realises that their slot is getting deep and depending on experience either lengthens or steps the slot or goes and seeks advice how to procede rather than not make it to the site hut at tea time because they are under a tonne of earth.

I agree that it would take a while to implement such a profession specific card but in the long run I would like to see a better awareness of the common hazards we face rather than addressing problems only when there has been an accident or serious near miss. I accept that such a card could never cover all eventualities, it doesn't for any job.

Then there is the whole issue of repect from the rest of the development sector. They've taken it seriously and we need to show that we can work alongside them with the same degree of professionalism, which includes regard for what is after all a highly skilled professional workforce.

[tmsarch]

In general I feel that the level of Health & Safety training in archaeology could be described as variable. I too like the CSCS card scheme in principle. Are you talking about an Archaeology CSCS card or archaeology becoming a recognised occupation in the existing coloured card structure (see http://www.cscs.uk.com/upload_folder/121...poster.pdf)?

If the former, I'm not sure however that a Specific CSCS Archaeology card is the answer, nor do I feel that this is the aim of the CSCS card. You don't for example (unless its changed since I got my card) get a specific Carpentry Card but rather a card appropriate to your level of experience and training which is measured against industry accredited qualifications. The cards also demonstrate a heirachy of experience and responsibility. At what level would this Archaeology Specific Card fit?

If the latter, then I'd suggest that getting this card should be one of the benefits of independently accredited industry specific qualifications against which standards can be measured but not the 'be all and end all'

The whole issue of industry accredited qualifications and indeed health and safety training is one where I feel our professional body needs to take a stronger lead. In these areas archaeology is playing catch-up with other professions but is starting to make positive steps. I'd rather see archaeology profession reach the standard needed to fit into the existing card heirachy scheme rather than trying to re-invent the wheel with a Archaeology Specific CSCS card.

[1man1desk]

As far as I understand the CSCS scheme, it is not specifically about health and safety. It is supposed to accredit you as qualified to a defined standard in your trade/profession. So, for instance, I have an Environmental Manager's card, and that is supposed to accredit me as an Environmental Manager. That is not really what I am, although I do work in two disciplines closely related to Environmental Management. If that is really what the card is doing, then an archaeology-specific card would be appropriate, because you could tell that anyone holding a card had at least a basic level of competence as an archaeologist.

The H&S test is, in theory, just one part of that accreditation, on the principle that no-one is qualified if they don't understand H&S issues relevant to their work.

In practice, however, the scheme seems to be mostly used to certify the fact that you have passed the H&S test. If that is what it is actually doing, then I don't see that an archaeology-specific card is relevant; all you need is a card whose H&S test focuses on the type of hazards that archaeologists face - manual handling, deep excavations, hand tools, working in conjunction with large mobile plant, etc.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[chiz]

The white CSCS card most archaeologists will have will list the skills/tests they have passed on the back, mine says archaeologist technician, despite taking the managers H&S test... The H&S test is compulsory to get on the scheme, which is really just an umbrella scheme for all the established skills schemes, and mops up various other trades in a 'one stop shop' card scheme that is incidentally very profitable. Up until a couple of years ago archaeology was exempt from the CSCS scheme as there is no relevant qualification -they rightly realised that a degree was worth nothing on site!!- and there was no NVQ scheme. We used to get letters of exemption from CSCS to show at inductions.
The IFA is trying to get their NVQ scheme off the ground, and if they succeed, and it was funded by the profession, not the individuals (it costs about a grand) then that would be listed on the back of your card, along with dumper driver, electrician etc
There's no need for a separate card scheme as that's the whole point of CSCS, there's just a need for a proper vocational qualification which CSCS will recognise if it is proper. That is a job, essentially, for the IFA

[Bones]

I'm a graduate in the field of archaeology and osteoarchaeology, and recently I have seen more job applications asking for a CSCS qualification. What 'level' is needed? and where can i learn more about this qualification? My Dad, being in construction has a supervisor CSCS card (gold card), but on the forum a white card is mentioned? can anyone help?

Thanks

[Plautus]

Bones - all you need is a white card - you are not the supervisor on site so don't need a supervisors card - we are bsically outside contractors so just need to show we know our way around a site without killing ourselve or anyone else.

[Fishslice]

quote:Originally posted by Plautus

Bones - all you need is a white card - you are not the supervisor on site so don't need a supervisors card - we are bsically outside contractors so just need to show we know our way around a site without killing ourselve or anyone else.

Take me through this?