Construction recruiter calls for fairer sector checks
Date: 14/05/2010
One Way calls for fairer sector checks in light of potential new government approval of a GLA extension.A potential GLA extension into the construction sector green-lit by the new Government will need to fair for large and small employers alike a recruiter has warned.
Paul Payne, director of construction recruiter, One Way Resourcing says that while he agrees that the sector already has they are inconsistent.
He said: “Smaller developers and contractors do not have the same checks and are far more reliant on the recruitment consultancy having their own checks in place but unfortunately that’s not always the case. This not only means an unlevel playing field for recruiters but also that employers may well be unwittingly putting themselves at risk with respect to health and safety legislation.”
“We have been fully audited, for example by the CSCS (Construction Skills certification Scheme) and are one of only 100 organisations to hold a platinum CSCS certificate and we won’t supply anyone without a CSCS card. We also put all our crane operators and tele handlers through a fitness to work medical and we are also members of CHAS (The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)”.
He continued: “The problem is that none of this is mandatory and so there are no definitive guidelines which means that some of the more unscrupulous agencies do get away with a less than ethical service. Consequently we would welcome licensing – I think it would get rid of a lot of inconsistencies and raise the bar in terms of service levels. Construction is a dangerous sector and health and safety is key to good working practice. Any help in ensuring that happens across the board has to be a good thing.”
For full details please see the link below:
www.rec-con.co.uk/article.php/news/building_blocks/2744