ECS Health and
Safety Test
Health & Safety for ECS holders
What is the ECS H&S test?
- It is compulsory to hold a current H&S qualification in order to apply for and be awarded with an ECS card.
- The ECS H&S test is specifically designed to meet the H&S requirements of electrotechnical personnel. Those who successfully pass the ECS assessment will be awarded with an ECS H&S Certificate (valid for 2 years from the date of award), issued by the JIB or SJIB as appropriate, which can be used for the purpose of obtaining an ECS card only.
- Applicants who already meet or exceed the required level of H&S knowledge due to existing (approved) qualifications held will be exempt from taking the ECS H&S Test. Such applicants will need to provide a copy of a current up-to-date qualification certificate showing that they hold one of the approved exemptions.
Card and Certificate Expiry
The Health & Safety Assessment Certificate is valid for 2 years, and an ECS card must be applied for within that time. Thereafter, the ECS card is valid for 3 years. A subsequent Health & Safety Assessment will need to be taken in order to renew the card at the end of this 3-year period.
About the ECS H&S assessment
- The ECS H&S assessment consists of 40 multiple choice questions, randomly selected from a database of approximately 300.
- 'Closed book' assessment - no revision materials will be allowed into the exam room.
- The candidate is allowed 30 minutes to complete the assessment.
- The pass mark for the assessment is 85% i.e. 34 correct answers out of 40.
Preparation and revision
An ECS Question and Answer Book is available to help candidates prepare for their ECS Health and Safety Assessment. Due to the specific electrical content in the ECS assessment, books supplied by other agencies (CITB etc.) are not appropriate. This publication contains all the questions and answers from the database that is currently used for the assessment.
Note: We require candidates to obtain the question and answer book at least ten working days prior to sitting the assessment, to allow adequate time for preparation. In the case of in-company or multiple bookings, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that this condition is satisfied.
- You can order a print copy of the ECS Question and Answer Book to be sent out to you, at a cost of £3.50 (VAT included) each.
You can download an electronic version of the book here.
How do I book an ECS H&S test?
An ECS H&S test is available through the following providers:
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
-
Paper-based assessment (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- > Visit the UNITE website
- or call the Unite ECS Co-ordinator on 07949 237002 or email:ecs.assess@unitetheunion.org
Scotland
-
Nationwide assessments (paper-based) are provided all year round by
the SJIB. - > Visit the SJIB website
- Advance booking is essential.
These are provided by the ECA at various nationwide venues and an online assessment is also available at Sidcup only.
For this assessment, please:
>> Download the Assessment Information and booking form
or
Call the ECA H&S Assessment Administration team on:
0845 313 1532
Computer-based assessments are provided by UNITE the Union
To enquire about or book an ECS test, please contact your preferred provider directly.
