The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has responded to a panel discussion hosted by Dame Judith Hackett, which debated whether the ‘golden thread’ of building-safety information mandated after the Grenfell tragedy may be stymied by a profusion of digital systems.
Hackitt asked a panel of industry experts whether there was a risk of “everyone doing their own thing” as a result of the emergence of multiple digital systems, leading to greater confusion and a loss of the benefits of standardisation.
Hackitt's report on the 2017 fire at Grenfell Tower, in which 72 people died, identified a need for a golden thread of information for higher-risk residential buildings to ensure safety data is gathered, stored and maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.
The CSCS Alliance, the 38 personnel certification schemes covering the built environment, came together in 2021 to collaborate on the development of CSCS Smart Check. This type of smart database integration means there is now one simple to use system for checking all 2 million plus CSCS partner cards and provides that essential golden thread of information for individual competency verification.
ECS has also highlighted the benefits of its ECS Check system, which allows clients, main and electrical contractors to verify the status of all electrotechnical personnel throughout the supply chain for subcontractors on a project-by-project basis, improving visibility and helping to raise the bar on competence, saving time and money. This was established to provide a simple solution, recognised and used UK wide, to give access to digital verification for workforce composition for companies of all sizes and avoid duplication.
Through the MyECS and ECS Check smartphone apps, and an easy-to-use company platform, verifying compliance and providing audit reports has never been easier. As a free to access system, this means cost is not a barrier for those SMEs to access systems like this essential for competence visibility.
Andy Reakes, Director of Growth and Development, said: “Since its launch, ECS Check has seen more than 2,500 clients, local authorities and contractors register UK wide to provide essential information, improve visibility, encourage upskilling, raise the bar on competence and improve safety.”
“Importantly, the system is free to access meaning there is no additional costs to use ECS Check, and as ECS is recognised UK-wide for access to projects as part of the CSCS Alliance, it means companies are saving time and money using one system for all electrical contracting work which is recognised and endorsed by central and devolved governments.”
Read more about how ECS Check can benefit you as a client or supply chain or if you're in Northern Ireland the benefits of Licence to Practise. If you have an ECS card make sure you download your virtual app to always have access to your card.