Contractors
From 01 March 2013 a new MPQC/SPA Contractor Safety Passport Scheme is being launched within the industry
MPQC/SPA Contractor Safety Passport Scheme
Contractors play an increasingly important role within the extractive and mineral products industries. The Contractor Safety Passport Scheme is an industry supported initiative designed to improve health, safety and environmental awareness and minimise accidents and ‘near misses’.
The scheme is jointly run with MPQC/SPA (Safety Pass Alliance) through Licensed Training Providers and Approved Trainers.
MPQC Skills Centre, as a licensed provider will coordinate the management of bookings .
MPQC Awarding Organisation will provide the quality assurance of the scheme to ensure a high level of training is maintained and that there is a consistent approach to delivery.
Details of the scheme can be found in MPQC/SPA Scheme Information guide.
There is increased emphasis on the assessment which will take place under examination conditions, ensuring that contractors have partcipated in the course and have understood key topics and learning points. For contactors who successfully complete the examination, they will also achieve a nationally-recognised qualification:
MPQC Level 2 Award in Understanding Safe Working for Contractors in Extractives and Building Products Industries Sites (QCF)
Initially, contractors must attend a 2 day course which covers health and safety awareness and covers industry specific areas raising awareness of hazards and topics within the quarrying industries. There will be an assessment on each day of the course and you must pass each day to complete the course. The assessments will be moderated and verified by the MPQC Awarding Organisation.
The MPQC/SPA Contractor Safety Passport is valid for 3 years. All passports are issued by SPA.
Following this a 1 day refresher course is required to renew your passport.
The MPQC/SPA Contractor Safety Passport Scheme is supported by the following indsutry key stakeholders:
- Mineral Products Assocation (MPA)
- MPA British Precast
- MPA Scotland
- IAT (Institute of Asphalt Technology)
- BAA (British Aggregates Assocation)
- TUC (Trade Union Congress)
- Coalpro
- Institute of Quarrying
The MPQC/SPA Contractor Safety Passport is highly recommended and is detailed in the MPA Safer by Competence Initiative
Both part and full exemptions to the scheme are available, further details on these can be found in the scheme information booklet available by clicking here or alternatively for a listing of applicable exemptions please visit the SPA website on the following link http://www.safetypassports.co.uk/exemptions/
If you would like to find out more or to register a place on forthcoming courses please contact Maggi Pelling on 0115 983 6580 or email: maggi.pelling@mpskills.co.uk or visit the SPA website: www.safetypassports.co.uk
An example of the new MPQCSPA Contractor Safety Passport is below:
MPQC Awarding Organisation has announced the launch of a new suite of Contractors Qualifications to demonstrate competence of contractors working within the extractives and related industries.