The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment

The full name is the Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment. The useful word is Award: it is a real, regulated qualification, pitched at someone with no prior health and safety training, for people working in or wanting to work in construction. official

"Level 1" is a regulated qualification level. The qualification-level system GOV.UK describes covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland has its own system, and CSCS accepts the Scotland Level 4 Award for this route. Level 1 sits above Entry Level, and is equivalent to GCSE grades 1 to 3 (the old grades D to G); Level 2 is GCSE grades 4 to 9. So this is a genuine entry-level qualification, not a pre-qualification taster. gov.uk qualification levels

People use "the Level 1" and "the test" as if they are the same. They are not, and the difference is the whole point.

In plain terms: the Award is where you learn it; the test is where you prove it. Both must be completed for this route to the green card, and CSCS-recognised alternatives to the Award also exist. official

Genuinely the basics, aimed at someone new to site safety. The qualification's learning outcomes cover: official

• Common hazards and risks on a construction site, and the idea of risk assessment
• Safe manual handling, lifting and carrying
• Working safely at height
• Working safely around plant and machinery
• Risks to health on site, including hazardous substances

• About 21 guided learning hours, with a total qualification time of 30 hours (NOCN) or 29 hours (City & Guilds), and a credit value of 3 (NOCN). How long a particular course runs is set by the provider; the qualification's size is these hours, not a fixed number of days. official
• Assessed by a multiple-choice test (City & Guilds); NOCN allows a multiple-choice test or an assessment portfolio. official
• Awarded by a regulated awarding body. Several are recognised, including NOCN, City & Guilds, Highfield and QNUK; check which one your centre offers. official

There is no single owner-set price for the course: a training provider sets what it charges a learner, separately from the awarding body's qualification fee and from the CITB test fee (£23.50). official

Is the Level 1 Award the same as the CSCS test? No. The Award is a taught, regulated qualification where you learn the basics. The HS&E test is a separate CITB knowledge check. You need both for the green-card route.

How long does it take? About 21 guided learning hours. How long a course runs is up to the provider; the qualification's size is the 21 hours, not a set number of days.

Does it expire? CSCS treats the Level 1 Award itself as lifetime; it is the card and the HS&E test pass that have time limits. Some recognised alternatives to the Award do expire, so check your card's rules.

Who awards it? A regulated awarding body, such as NOCN, City & Guilds, Highfield or QNUK, delivered through a training centre.

Does doing the Award give me a card? No. It is one of the two knowledge requirements for the green Labourer card; you still need the HS&E test and the card application.