Quality Assurance

On the 21st September 2021, we have a new colleague joining the External Quality Assurance (EQA) team for CPCS. Christopher Haines will be the new External Quality Assurer (EQA) for sector nine. During September Christopher will be completing his NOCN/CPCS induction so please continue to contact your existing EQA until the end of month.

We have also revised sector nine which has resulted in a number of centres coming under a different EQA (see Contact Information Sheet that will be updated in TCMS from the 21st of September – Sector/ Associated Postcodes).

The changes will come into effect on the 1st October 2021 affecting some centres in sectors 6, 7, 9,10 and 11. Our team of EQA’s will support those centres impacted by the changes and will keep in contact to help with any enquiries.

System Changes

Just to keep you informed regarding the two NEW exciting pieces of system development we have scheduled for September/October to TCMS.

The new functionality in TCMS will be:

Ability to create a new NOCN ID number via TCMS
Cancel notification button (Re launch)

These functionalities will be tested and we will comm’s once they are LIVE.

Technical Changes

Changes to the A40 Slinger / Signaller practical test specification.
Recently CPCS has been approached by representatives from the Health and Safety Executive, Industry organisations and the CPCS Management Committee to undertake a review of the A40 Slinger / Signaller practical test elements, following a number of instances on construction sites. An example being, where the accessories used during lifting operations, have been allowed to hang freely and not being moved away from the load on completion of the lifting process, resulting in the accessories reattaching to the load when the load carrying vehicle pulled away.

This example resulted in the hook block etc. being pulled into a recently installed bridge section causing damage to the bridge causing instability to the lifting equipment, luckily no one was injured.

Following a review of the category undertaken by a Working Group representing the relevant groups from industry, it was agreed that the following points are to be added to the A40 grading sheet in the mandatory section.

During the practical test CPCS Testers are to ensure that any legs of a multiple leg chain sling which are not used during the lift or following a completed lift, are to be back hooked to the master or intermediate link, ensuring that they are free of the load and cannot reattach.

The purpose of this update is to confirm the changes made to the A40 Test Specification and to confirm the date on which the changes are to become effective, allowing a sufficient period for centres to update training delivered and allow CPCS testers to become familiar of the revised content. The Effective date of the change is the 18th October 2021

As part of the review requested by the HSE, and industry representatives’ other categories under review include:-

• A50 Loader / Securer STGO
• A56 ADT

The focus of the review for the above categories relates initially to the question banks, with a review of the practical’s being undertaken in the near future. Further information will be provided to centres and testers prior to any changes be made becoming effective.

Test centre Potential and actual violence Incidents

Recently CPCS has been made aware of instances at CPCS Test Centres where candidates have potentially been or have been violent or causing damage. When informed of such instances CPCS has undertaken investigations to determine what can be learned from these incidents to help identify where, if required further guidance and support can be given to CPCS Test Centres.

CPCS does not condone any such activity or behaviour from candidates and aim to support CPCS Test Centres fully, that being said should CPCS receive any complaints regardless of who raises the complaint, we are duty bound to undertake investigations, if only to clarify and support the actions taken by CPCS Test Centres. The investigations are undertaken to identify any possible learning opportunities which CPCS and the CPCS Test Centres can use to improve the CPCS Testing delivery process.

Until such times as the investigations have been completed and further guidance published, CPCS Test Centres are reminded that as employers they have a duty of care to their organisation’s employees etc. and should have adequate policies and procedures in place ensuring adequate control measures have been identified and implemented where required following a sufficient Risk Assessment.

Further Guidance can be sourced in the HSE publication

• INDG69 Violence at Work a guide for employees.
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg69.pdf 

CPCS Tester ACOD – Advanced On Site Assessment Clarification(AOSA).

The CPCS Tester ACOD has been reviewed and updated to confirm that when delivering the AOSA the sector CPCS EQA does Not need to be in attendance but may decide to quality assure the assessment in the same manner as they would quality assure a CPCS Technical Theory or Practical test.

Extract from ACOD:

Impact on planning and preparation

1. There is no difference to the standard assessment preparation. NOCN Job Cards Quality Assurance personnel may attend but it is not mandatory as with the Advanced Practical Test, they may request to have all necessary details with regards any site specific peculiarities.’

The effective date of the version change will be the 18th of October.

Clarification to the Vehicle Marshaller test criteria.

Following feedback from CPCS Test Centres and CPCS EQAs highlighting some confusion in the delivery of the Vehicle Marshaller Practical Test, a review of the category specifications has been undertaken relating to the points raised.

During the review it has been agreed that further clarification was required to identify the starting point for the vehicle prior to undertaking any activity, the following has been included into the test specification and is to be implemented with immediate effect by CPCS Test Centres and testers delivering the category.

All documentation will be updated on the 18th of October.

Clarification on the acceptance of the Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship.

Currently CPCS has created a working group to identify how the scheme can recognise the achievement of Construction Plant Operative Apprenticeship and other similar apprenticeships aligned to CPCS Categories such as the Lifting Technician apprenticeship.

A proposal document has been presented to the CPCS Committee for further discussion and agreement on the type of card which CPCS could introduce supporting the registered apprentices to obtain a CPCS Card.

Once an agreement has been reached, further information will be circulated to CPCS Test Centres and employers explaining the criteria to be met in order to be able to apply for a CPCS Card.

In the meantime further information relating to eh apprenticeships can be found via the following links:

• https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/construction-plant-operative-v1-0 
• https://www.cscs.uk.com/news/cscs-to-accept-all-nationally-recognised-apprenticeships/ 

Thank you for your continued support to CPCS.