The scheme was created to ensure customers know that the people working on their premises have a proper idea of health and safety, and have been tested on it. In order to qualify, all applications must pass their Health and Safety test, which we did, attaining Gold Status for skilled workers and supervisors!

The aim of the test is to examine knowledge across a wide range of health and safety topics in order to improve safety and productivity on site

And it is mandatory for a lot of public sector work that we do, as it says on their website:

At UK Government level, the Office of Government Commerce (OGC)  makes CSCS cards mandatory on every building contract where the client is a public sector client.  In their common minimum standards for the procurement of built environment in the public sector, clients are required to include a contract clause that all members of their supply teams who are workers on – or regular visitors to – a construction site are CSCS registered.

But mainly we’re just keen that everyone stays safe,

Requirements for the gold card qualification was to have achieved an NVQ or SVQ level 3, or if you have completed an approved indentured apprenticeship (e.g.with NJCBI, BATJIC etc.) or an employer sponsored apprenticeship which included the achievement of a City and Guilds of London Institute Advanced Craft Certificate.

So we are definitely have all the right acronyms, but what we didn’t get – was any credit facilities with our gold card. Oh well, perhaps we will just have to work harder!

Do you think it is a halloween Trick or Treat?

We hope  everything is working straight away, but it is a big project and things can take a while to iron out. But you might help us if you spot anything that isn’t 100 percent working as you think it should.

As painters and decorators we do like things to look and work just as they should, so you would be doing us a favour if you could speak up about these things.

On the other hand, we hope that all of the case studies and information is useful for new visitors and they get a good feel about the company.

If you find something out of order, or if you do like the site, why not leave us a comment below?

All the best. The ESK team.