An extended time frame for completion of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has been announced by the Irish Health and Safety Authority.

The move comes ahead of their warning to workers to ensure completion of training immediately.

Minister for Labour Affairs, Billy Kelleher, ordered the amendment to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006, deferring the date which workers must have completed the CSCS training before they perform certain tasks.

The tasks workers can now complete include mobile tower scaffolds, signing, lighting and guarding on roads, locating underground services and shotfiring, which can be performed without certification until 6th July 2009.

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The amendment was made following submissions made to him by industry and employer bodies and subsequent consultation with the Health and Safety Authority.

According to Paula Gough, Programme Manager with the Health and Safety Authority: "This amendment grants additional time to ensure that all relevant workers have received the appropriate training and are in possession of the relevant CSCS card."

"I urge all key parties to take advantage of this extension now and not delay in ensuring workers have successfully completed their training," she added.

The CSCS is a scheme designed to provide essential skills and training to anyone involved in the construction industry.

It provides awareness of site health and safety and also provides evidence of an individual's skills.

Different levels are available, from trainee, through to management.

An NVQ or SNVQ is now required to obtain a card, as a recognised work/evidence based qualification it should prove that you have the necessary skills for the card you are applying for.

(PR)