Safe Pass Renewals to move online effective from 23 January 2023.

The Safe Pass Renewal offers an alternative process to renew Safe Pass, taking 45 minutes to complete at a cost of €93.84 instead of requiring a full day in the classroom as previously required.

There will be no face-to-face or online tutor-led course. Candidates register with SOLAS, where they can access study or revise material and undertake the test in a registered and controlled test (exam) centre. A learner portal containing self-study resources will be made available to candidates wishing to renew their Safe Pass card by using the alternative test-based option. This allows learners to revise for the test (exam) and update their knowledge through self-directed learning where they can take a test (exam) in an approved Pearson VUE test (exam) centre.

Who can apply for this online test?
If you are a current Safe Pass card holder you can renew your card by sitting a computer-based test (exam).

Where are the test (exam) centres located?
There will be 29 test (exam) centres throughout the Republic of Ireland. You will see a full list of these centres through your SOLAS online account

What is the format of the exam?
The test (exam) will consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You must answer 45 questions correctly to pass the test (exam). The test (exam) is 45 minutes long.

Will I receive any revision material for the test (exam)?
Yes. When you log into your SOLAS account you will have access to revision material and access to purchase the official 500 questions that make up the tests.

How do I apply for the test (exam) to obtain my Safe Pass Renewal Card ?
You need to register for a  SOLAS online account.  You will need your PPSN, date of birth and family name (Surname) and an active email address. Your email address will become your username for logging into your account. From 23rd January 2023 register on constructioncourses.ie or through the SOLAS website solas.ie

What if I don’t have a valid Safe Pass Card.
You will need to sit the existing one day tutor led programme with an Approved Training Operator. To find a list of scheduled courses go to niso.ie

My Safe Pass Card has expired. What are my options?
If your card has expired and you want to renew it, you can register for a SOLAS online account and book the new Safe Pass Renewal test or attend a tutor led programme to renew your card.

I never had a Safe Pass Card. What are my options?
You cannot obtain a Safe Pass Card online. You must book and attend a a tutor led programme to obtain your first card. Thereafter, every four years you will have the choice of renewing online or attending a tutor led programme.

I don't want to do an Online test (exam)?
If you don't wish to sit the exam online and separately purchase the 500 questions but would prefer a one day tutor lead experience in the class, please book below

Book your Safe Pass here

All in a week...

Safe Pass “Letters of Comfort” disallowed by SOLAS.

This week (w/c 20 May 2019) saw the issuing of “Letters of Comfort” by SOLAS registered tutors and Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) being disallowed.

SOLAS claims that it has introduced the ban because of some employers’ concerns that some “letters of comfort" have been fabricated. SOLAS in fairness, has stated that it has checked the validity of these employer submitted letters and is satisfied the letters are fictitious.

How does this impact Safe Pass course attendees?. Well, it depends how organised or last minute you are? Cards are valid for four years to the end of the month of your course date, i.e. if you attend and pass the Safe Pass course on 21 June 2019, your card will be valid to 30 June 2023.

As cards are currently taking about three weeks to issue, you do need to plan ahead and attend a course about three weeks in advance of the expiry date of your card.

For persons who are new to the construction industry or are conducting work on a construction site, you really need to plan ahead and attend the Safe Pass training at least three weeks in advance of you needing the card.

Is it fair to penalise the construction industry and its workers who may be depending on some sort of course attendance confirmation to enable them to commence or continue work within the construction industry or should SOLAS be targeting the fraudsters. Some are saying that it is a heavy handed approach by the State’s training body, others say that the issuing of “fake” letters will only stop if the only form of Safe Pass attendance confirmation is the Safe Pass Card.

…which leads to the questions - can Safe Pass cards be easily forged?

As expected, there has been both muted and loud protestations from workers who need their cards immediately. The previously issued letters of comfort were ideal to have during the wait time for the Safe Pass cards to be issued. Now some workers are being told that they cannot commence work on a Monday because they do not have a card / letter of comfort. In addition, within days of the ban on the issuing of the comfort letters, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the national body representing Construction firms, has added their weight behind the issue, by asking safe pass tutors and ATOs to address the current situation where attendees of a Safe Pass course are not issued with a confirmation of attendance.

CIF states that the new situation is unacceptable for the construction sector and is causing difficulties on sites for workers and employers alike and is generally unfair to all involved. It has designed a new “Confirmation of Attendance Form” with CIF branding and urges all tutors and ATOs to use this form.

SOLAS has hit back in a communication to training managers and internal verifiers advising ATO’s not to complete or issue the CIF “Confirmation of Attendance” until further information is received from SOLAS on the matter.

SOLAS has contacted the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) seeking clarification on the status of the proposed CIF intervention and is awaiting a formal response.

In a further communique this week, SOLAS has advised to facilitate improved turnaround time for processing all card applications, SOLAS will be commencing a twice weekly print run that will occur every Tuesday and Friday with effect from Tuesday, 28 May 2019. SOLAS also state that it is planning to introduce further system efficiencies to reduce distribution times.

The improvements in turnaround times will therefore be a maximum of up to three days, depending on the day the tutor uploads the course attendees information.

Have your say on the matter.