IOSH SHE for Construction Workers vs CITB Health & Safety Awareness – what’s the difference? 👷‍♂️🦺

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1. Overview

2. CSCS Green Labourer Card Eligibility

3. Key Differences

4. What Each Course Covers

5. Which One Should You Choose

6. Summary

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1. Overview

IOSH – Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Workers (SHECW)

• Awarding body: IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety & Health)

• Level: Introductory, with broader coverage than CITB HSA

• Recognition: Internationally recognised

• Format: 1-day course (classroom or live-online accepted for CSCS)

  
  

CITB – Health & Safety Awareness (HSA)

• Awarding body: CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)

• Level: Entry level / foundation

• Recognition: UK construction industry standard

• Format: 1-day course (classroom or live-online accepted for CSCS)

2. CSCS Green Labourer Card Eligibility

Course	Accepted for CSCS Green Labourer Card?	Notes
IOSH SHE for Construction Workers	✔ Yes	Must be in-person or live-online delivery. E-learning only is not accepted. Still requires CITB Operatives HS&E test.
CITB Health & Safety Awareness	✔ Yes	Standard route. Still requires CITB Operatives HS&E test.

3. Key Differences

Feature	IOSH SHECW	CITB HSA
Recognition	Internationally recognised course	UK construction industry standard
Depth of content	Slightly broader — includes environment & worker responsibility	Focused strictly on site safety basics
Content level	Introductory but more comprehensive	Very entry-level
Validity for CSCS	3 years	5 years
Delivery requirements	Must be classroom or live-online for CSCS eligibility	Standard delivery accepted
Assessment	Short test & practical engagement	Multiple-choice test
Best for	Workers wanting broader H&S + international recognition	Labourers needing the standard UK entry qualification

4. What Each Course Covers

IOSH SHE for Construction Workers

• Legal responsibilities

• Common site hazards

• PPE & communication

• Site controls and safe working practices

• Environmental management (waste, pollution)

• Risk assessment basics

• Worker responsibilities

  
  

CITB Health & Safety Awareness

• Basic legal requirements (HASAWA, CDM)

• Main site hazards (work at height, manual handling, fire, electricity, excavations)

• Site rules and inductions

• Method statements and RAMS

• PPE and housekeeping

• How to stay safe as a labourer

  
  

5. Which One Should You Choose?

✔ Choose IOSH SHECW if:

• You want a qualification recognised outside the UK

• You want a broader health, safety and environmental foundation

• You prefer IOSH-branded training

• Your employer prefers it (common on larger projects)

  
  

✔ Choose CITB HSA if:

• You want the standard, most widely used UK labourer qualification

• You’re new to construction and want the simplest/cheapest route

• Your employer or site specifically asks for CITB training

  
  

6. Summary

• Both IOSH SHECW and CITB HSA qualify you for the CSCS Green Labourer Card, as long as you also pass the CITB HS&E Operatives test.

• IOSH offers broader, internationally recognised content.

• CITB is the traditional, straightforward UK route for new labourers.