Tradesmen and other construction workers will soon be able to undertake a one-day scaffolding awareness course at a range of training centres across the country.

The course is open to any workers who have cause to work on scaffolding – such as painters, bricklayers, electricians and plumbers – and those wanting a better understanding of scaffolding operations and has been created by the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS).

It will provide attendees with a greater understanding and appreciation of the potential dangers of working at height on scaffolds and enable them to identify the core components of a safe scaffold.

Delegates will be issued with a CISRS Scaffolding Awareness certificate upon successful completion of the course.

Laura Weekes, CISRS Administrator, said: “This classroom-based course will give tradesmen a basic understanding of what compliant scaffolding looks like and guidance on how they can work at height safely.

“We’re looking to offer this course at training centres nationwide from this summer onwards.”

The introduction of the course has been welcomed by the National Access & Scaffolding Confederation.

Stephen Allen-Tidy, NASC Health and Safety Advisor, said: “The NASC is committed to promoting the highest standards of safety within the industry. Through the publication and dissemination of a wide range of industry-recognised safety and technical guidance – including SG4:15 Preventing Falls in Scaffolding Operations – we continue to drive safety standards upwards.

“This is clearly evidenced in our annual NASC Safety Reports. The 2018 edition saw accidents and injuries recorded by NASC members, collectively employing more than 16,000 scaffolding operatives, fall to an all-time low – with just 89 incidences occurring on-site throughout 2017.

“Through the introduction of the scaffolding awareness training course the scope of safety training efforts is being extended beyond scaffolding operatives, helping to ensure that all workers who set foot on a scaffold can carry out the tasks they require safely.”