ISHCCO Qualification Framework For Construction Safety Coordinators

Abstract

ISHCCO (International Safety and Health Construction Coordinators Organization - www.ishcco.org) represents an European umbrella association of the national professional associations of Health and Safety Construction Coordinators (HSCC). One of the statutory aims of ISHCCO is to promote excellence in education, training and professional development in the countries of the national members. Since ISHCCO was founded in 2003 it has been working on the development of such a catalogue of criteria for the promotion and acceptance of qualification framework for HSCC. The ISHCCO qualification framework (IQF) developed enables benchmarking based on technical standards and European legislation complying with international and national criteria. IQF, like the European Qualification Framework, has three dimensions for the competences of HSCC: knowledge, skills and attitudes. What is described is the process followed to define these competences, the application of IQF for levels 5, 6 and 7 of EQF (technician, bachelor and master) and the connection with the European Directive 92/57 about temporary or mobile construction sites. The types of projects considered in IQF include requirements for simple projects, medium building construction and civil engineering projects and highly specialized construction projects or major projects. The target groups in construction are experts, institutions, professional associations, chambers of commerce, construction sector companies, authorities and building owner/clients. IQF can be used to define learning outcomes of HSCC training courses and respective contents and assessment.