On the 26th of January we learned that CSCS will no longer be issuing CSCS cards to archaeologists from Tuesday, 30th April 2024. Since then we have prioritised ensuring that FAME members will continue to have access to construction sites after that date.

We have lobbied BuildUK, the trade association for the UK construction industry, to make sure that all of their members know that archaeologists will still need access to sites – as we will be there to help them discharge the planning conditions that have been placed on their projects. BuildUK today sent this message to all of their members:

“CSCS has confirmed that archaeologists will no longer be able to apply for CSCS cards from 1 May 2024. Archaeology is not a construction occupation and, in line with the CLC recommendation on industry card schemes, CSCS does not issue cards for such occupations. Archaeologists should be able to access sites without a CSCS card to carry out their role, and Build UK’s Training Standard confirms that it is the responsibility of site managers to induct and escort non‐construction workers arriving on site so they can work safely.”

BuildUK skills update 4th March 2024

We hope no FAME members will encounter immediate issues with site access. In theory, site managers will not ask archaeologists to show their CSCS cards to get on site – but it might take time for this to become common knowledge and practice.

If anyone does have difficulties, they can point the site manager towards that BuildUK news item – but to minimise the potential for this, we very definitely recommend that up until 30th April, FAME members continue to support their staff in acquiring CSCS cards – remembering that while new cards will not be issued after that date, existing cards will remain valid for up to five years. And as holding a CSCS card demonstrates that the holder has passed a CITB Health, Safety and Environment test, it will continue to be an externally benchmarked demonstration of that person’s competency in health and safety.

Going forward, in the absence of the CSCS cards, FAME is working to identify what the best route to certify archaeologists’ health and safety competences will be. We know that FAME members’ staff have to be competent to be safe, and we need to be able to certify that. We are working towards providing you with an update on this in the summer.

Kenneth Aitchison
CEO FAME: Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers