Discussion Document
Recognition of the EMSS scheme NSP training product
This communication intends to discuss the relevant information necessary to introduce you to the EMSS scheme and the National Safety Passport training tool. It can also be used as a formal support document when requesting approval of/for the adoption of the EMSS scheme and/or approval for the National Safety Passport to be used as a training vehicle.
In brief:
- NESHEP (with the support of the National Skills Academy) have developed a standard gleaned from years of research into industry, best practice, several decades of safety training experience and safety requirement expertise. The standard is entitled EMSS (Essential Minimum Safety Standard).
- EMSS aims to harness some of the available safety training schemes and standardize the syllabus content, which will incorporate existing passport schemes that meet or exceed the agreed minimum standard. EMSS is also: based on European safety requirements; compliant with HSE recommendations. It has been adopted by many companies ranging from SMEs to large multinational organisations.
- A vehicle for achieving EMSS accreditation is the National Safety Passport. It is an e-learning course which is provided via a secure memory stick. The course participant plugs the memory stick into a USB socket on their computer. From this point the course can be taken immediately or in portions as and when the user wishes.
The following pages iterate the above in more detail and answer some of the more regularly asked questions.
The below iterates the above in more detail and discusses:
- EMSS (Essential Minimum Safety Standards) and safety passports;
- The National Safety Passport (a tool for achieving accreditation);
- Answers to some of the more regularly asked questions.
EMSS (Essential Minimum Safety Standards) and Safety Passports
In order to ensure safe work on sites there has been an increasing requirement for contractors to undergo a minimum level of health and safety training. This has been especially necessary in the hazardous industries.
To ensure the contractors have completed this training, entry to sites is being restricted to those who can prove that they have undergone the necessary training. This is more commonly achieved by means of a ‘Safety Passport’. Safety passports are an increasingly important way for employers and companies who employ contractors, to establish health and safety competence among their workforce.
The safety passport is similar to any other passport in that it allows the holder access to a passport-controlled environment. The safety passport provides details of the health and safety training that the holder has received and is used as evidence that the bearer is qualified to an acceptable and recognised level of health and safety awareness.
There are a number of Passport schemes in existence and there are also other forms of Safety training which achieve this minimum level of awareness. Some of these schemes are not recognised by certain sectors of the industry as they may be from other areas (ie off-shore or European). However, some of the other forms of training cover the passport syllabus in deeper or greater detail.
EMSS aims to harness some of these ‘other’ schemes and standardise the syllabus content which will incorporate existing passport schemes that meet or exceed the agreed minimum standard. EMSS has developed a standard gleaned from years of research into industry best practice and several decades of experience and expertise. Naturally, this make EMSS an authority on passport scheme accreditation.
These essential minimum safety standards dictate the required minimum safety standards necessary to work safely on any high hazard site and have been thoroughly audited by industry leaders. Personnel carry their EMSS Passport Card as proof that they have been trained and validated as reaching the essential minimum safety standard required. The client sites where this person works can authenticate the passport card online. This will prove that the card is genuine but please note that an EMSS Passport card should not be considered as proof of identity.
Please Note: There is a globally available secure ‘competency profile management system available to manage all contractor training. [Please see EMSS competency profile management www.protectlife.com/nsp for the more information]
The EMSS scheme has been approved by the HSE and is currently used throughout the UK [Please see who is using the EMSS www.protectlife.com/nsp for the more information]
Please Note: The EMSS scheme is a not-for-profit UK government sponsored scheme.
The National Safety Passport (tool for achieving accreditation)
National Safety Passport (NSP) is the name for this training product. In essence it is an e-learning course which is provided via a secure memory stick. The course participant plugs the memory stick into a USB socket on their computer. From this point the course can be taken immediately or in portions as and when the user wishes. [Please see NSP User’s Guide www.protectlife.com/nsp for the more information]
After the course has been completed the results are sent to the UK government backed authorising body (EMSS), they intern place the participants’ details on a 24x7x365 secure accessible database. This database is specifically for Safety Passport Authorisation. A credit card sized safety passport is then issued via post to the participant.
The course content is based on EU standards and is compliant with HSE Passport scheme requirements i.e. INDG 381. [Please see HSE Guidelines for Safety Passports www.protectlife.com/nsp for the more information]
The National Safety Passport is not a remarkable brake through in technology. It is merely utilises up-to-date efficient methods for delivering safety training. Just as a word processor is the up-to-date efficient method for producing documents. There are benefits to staying with the old technology ‘the typewriter’ as it can be used in the event of there being no electricity available, but largely, all other benefits are over shadowed/dwarfed by the word processor which also offers numerous additional functions and benefits. We feel that the same applies to the National Safety Passport and its old-fashioned competition.
With the above information and the below questions answered. We hope you will see that the case for the adoption of EMSS is compelling. This coupled with its integration into EMSSONLINE.org an internationally accessible UK government backed portal for managing all contractor training accreditations. If you wish to receive information related to EMSSONLINE.org please feel free to ask us. Persons/organisation that have taken the National Safety Passport course will be contacted in due course with information about EMSSONLINE.org
Key benefits of the NSP eLearning memory stick approach as opposed face-to-face or other internet courses.
Answers to some of the more regularly asked questions.
Where can I get the National Safety Passport product?
To buy it please follow this link or copy and paste it into the address box in your browser ( http://www.protectlife.com/ws/product/national_safety_passport/ ) To discuss the product please call us or Phone:+44 (0)871 050 0880 or email enquiries@protectlife.com.
Can a participant fail the course?
No, the participant completes a number of modules in order to pass the course. If a module is failed then the participant can retake it as many times as is necessary to complete it correctly. Participants can fail to complete the course but not fail the course as completing the modules means that you have passed the course and achieved 100% validation.
Can a National Safety Passport memory stick be used more than once i.e. to deliver more than one course?
No only one course is delivered per memory stick. Used memory sticks can be recycled if sent back to us.
Can Safety Passport Cards be delivered to international locations?
Yes simply select the location you would like the passport card delivered to when ordering the product. There is an option under ‘Send credit card sized pass to:’ drop down menu (http://www.protectlife.com/ws/product/national_safety_passport/).
Can you get a discount for bulk purchases?
If you require more than 100 units we may be able to do something, but this product is competitively priced and currently stands head and shoulders above other Safety Passport training courses and presents companies with a cost saving of up to 90% over some of the well known competition.
Can we get samples?
Potential large or corporate buyers can receive samples, please feel free to contact us with your requirements. Email: enquiries@protectlife.com or Phone: +44 (0)0871 050 0880 then select option 1.
Why do contractors, temporary workers and employers us it?
Employers, contractors and temporary workers use this training product because:
• The standard of the content is reputably high;
• The HSE back the underpinning scheme that accredits this scheme;
• The delivery method is highly flexible;
• Training budgets can be slashed with no adverse effect to the quality of training;
• The authentication process for employers is simple and secure;
• It has attracted 100% positive feedback to date;
How do companies and large organisations use it strategically?
As this training product delivers a HSE defined level of safety training and it is cost effective, organisations often make it their basic level of safety training for all staff, it forms an essential part of induction training. Safety awareness is raised and insurance premiums are often reduced (this is an important fact to bring to the table when negotiating insurance premiums).
“and why not - all staff can report risks that they have been trained to identify before they become a hazard” John Robinson, Director – Protect Life Ltd, May 2010.
Some organisations are formally recommending that this training is taken by any organisation wishing to do work on any of their sites.
Why is NSP-EMSS a great solution now and in the future?
NSP-EMSS a great solution now and in the future because now individuals and organisation reap the benefits of today’s technology being applied to this training course. Tomorrow (as of October 2010) all contractors training can be managed via EMSSONLINE.org a portal for managing competency profiles of all types for contractor and temporary worker training.
Do all organisations except EMSS?
From time to time contractors wishing to gain access to a site may come across site managers; site security officials and/or health and safety operatives that are not aware of the EMSS, this could be for a number of valid reasons e.g.:
• They have been too busy to keep up-to-date with all that is available on the market;
• They have not reviewed the EMSS scheme as yet;
• They have been locked into an older method of this training and are not aware of more cost effective methods.
If you come across one of these organisation please let us know, we will contact them and present them with the necessary credentials and gain there assurance.
If I have a Safety Passport from a different organisation and now want to do a refresher, can I do the EMSS based National Safety Passport?
Yes it is at least equally comprehensive with the best face to face versions of the training and at best superior to other face to face or internet delivered safety passport courses.
We sincerely hope that the above gives you an understanding of the system and answers any related questions that you may have. If not please call or email us (email: enquiries@protectlife.com or phone: +44 (0)0871 050 0880 then select option 1) to arrange a time to discuss it.
Thank you for your time, we look forward to your response.
Protect Life – Training Department
+44 (0)871 050 0880
+353 (0)873 200205
Last Updated: August 24, 2010