Tackling fraud in the construction industry

There are in excess of 500,000 Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) tests conducted every year. This test forms the foundation qualification that all CITB card schemes including the CPCS, are based upon, meaning the protection of the integrity and security of this test is paramount.

The CPCS provides certification cards for the plant sector. It was launched by CITB, the industry training board and sector skills council for the construction industry, in 2003 at the request of employers to help them comply with regulations and set the standard for all plant operators. CPCS is the largest and most recognised card scheme for the plant industry and it helps prove the operating skills of workers as well as their health and safety awareness.

However, in some cases, HSE tests are used to issue CPCS cards in the name of a fraudulent candidate. Fraud related activity in this area includes CPCS test candidate impersonation at both theory and practical tests, issuing of fake CPCS cards and publication of CPCS papers online. 

To tackle the problem, CITB has appointed a fraud investigator, former senior police officer Ian Sidney. Since Ian’s appointment, over 30 incidents of impersonation of candidates at test centres or misconduct in the test itself are currently being investigated. 

Several of these cases have resulted in arrests and criminal proceedings, and CITB hopes that these high profile prosecutions will act as a deterrent. One such example is of a man who was arrested in July 2012 for conducting 48 fraudulent tests at centres across the country. His crimes resulted in a ten month custodial sentence and over £4,000 profits were confiscated from him by the court.

There are several measures that CITB is working on to ensure fraudulent activity is recognised, dealt with, and eventually wiped out. The new ‘card without application’ process, where cards are issued with the photograph from the HSE test, is helping to reduce the number of impersonation fraud cases. However, the issuing of cards to unqualified people represents an ongoing and serious threat to the integrity of the scheme, and the industry as a whole. 

CITB fraud investigator Ian Sidney says: "It is vital that we continue to identify and prosecute fraudulent activity to ensure the safety of our workforce, the integrity of the card scheme, and the reputation of the industry. By making examples of these offenders, we continue to send out the message that CITB will not stand for illegal activity, and we will not allow the scheme to be devalued in this way.”

The CPCS recognises skills, knowledge, competence and qualifications for plant operators and awards those involved with plant operations with official identification cards. It also aims to raise health and safety standards through a programme of HSE testing to prove workers have met minimum standards. Fraudulent activity can undermine these aims, and could put construction workers at risk, in addition to undermining the CPCS initiative and other plant operators who have responsibly and legally been awarded CPCS cards.

If you suspect a fraudulent card, you should retain the card from the individual if possible. Inform the local police, providing images of the card, the cardholder’s name and address, and details as to how the card was obtained. Inform CPCS including all the evidence and the crime number given by the local police. Subject to company rules, we recommend refusing the individual access to site. 

To maintain the integrity of the scheme, and the quality of the plant industry, CITB and construction firms must work together to continue to tackle fraud and stamp it out. Employing fully certified plant operators with proven skills, knowledge and competence will ensure that the industry continues to grow and prosper.