About Us

The Scheme

In the early 1990s a consortium of major industrialists from the power generation, steel, oil, gas and chemical industries recognised the need to train their contractors in basic safety. Most were providing a site induction, some were training their contractors, but there were no common standards. Two groups, in the North East and in West Wales, working in co-operation, set out to standardise their basic safety training and devised a core curriculum which became the foundation of a training scheme which has grown to national proportions.

The scheme, which results in the award of a ‘Safety Passport’ to contractor site personnel, is monitored and controlled by a national steering group known as the Client/Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG). Representatives from major clients are nominated by local safety groups to serve on the CCNSG and there is also representation from contractors, training providers and trade unions. The CCNSG meets regularly to ensure that standards are being maintained and that the content of the training scheme continues to meet current safety legislation and current safety practices.

The Success of the Scheme

The Health & Safety Executive has monitored the scheme from its early days, and has shown its support by attending the launch of the scheme in several new locations. Continued support from HSE for our scheme has been a feature as passport schemes have gained prominence. Local safety groups have been established in a number of locations throughout the UK and over 70 Training Providers have been approved by the ECITB to deliver the training on behalf of the CCNSG.

Since the start of the scheme more than 200,000 passports have been awarded to client and contractors’ personnel and many more join the list every week.

There has been a significant reduction in incidents in every location where the scheme has been implemented. One satisfied client was able to report a 50% reduction in unsafe incidents during a major shutdown.

The Safety Trainers Forum Ltd

The Safety Trainers Forum manages the course materials and quality aspects of the scheme delivery. It is also responsible for managing the training, development, marketing and management of scheme delivery.

Appointment of Approved Training Providers

All training providers have been nominated by an industry client and are subject to review by the local CCNSG safety group and the national CCNSG. The training courses are delivered to a National Standard using training materials designed and developed specifically for CCNSG. All tutors have been trained in the delivery of the scheme, approved and registered. The high level of quality control includes auditing by an independent auditor and training costs are maintained at an acceptable level.

Here to Stay

The rapid growth of the training scheme is proof that it works, and is now being embraced by all sectors of service and industrial clients. Wherever workers are at risk, the CCNSG Safety Passport scheme has a part to play. The scheme has participating clients throughout the whole of the United Kingdom, and new clients and new enquiries are received every month.

The CCNSG Safety Passport Scheme is now recognised as the Bench Mark for health and safety and has been adopted by BP, Corus, Dow Corning, Elf, Esso, ICI, Lindsey Oil, National Power, Powergen, Shell Texaco, The Paper Industry, Port work, The Cement Industry, The Automotive Industry of the UK and many other major industrial and service companies.