Safe Pass - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Book Safe Pass
https://niso.ie/product/safepass/
What is Safe Pass?
Safe Pass is a one-day safety awareness programme which is operated by SOLAS aimed at general construction workers, craft workers and "on site" security personnel in the construction industry. The aims of the programme are to:
raise the standard of safety awareness in the construction industry
ensure that all site personnel after completing the one day awareness programme can make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and ill health while working on the site
maintain a register of personnel who have received training
provide participants with a Safe Pass registration card, indicating that the holder has attended a formal course in health and safety awareness
Who needs to do Safe Pass awareness training?
Under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 Safe Pass Safety Awareness Programmes applies to:
Craft and general construction workers,
Persons undertaking on-site security work, and
Persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the Minister.
Category of personnel involved in Construction Projects for whom Safe Pass Awareness training is mandatory
Craft Workers
Apprentices
General Construction Workers
Working Chargehands
On-site Security Workers
Contractors Drivers On-site
Delivery Drivers On-site e.g. concrete trucks
Students on Placement on site
Students or Temporary staff on construction sites
Why do I need Safe Pass?
The Safe Pass Programme is necessary to make workers aware of the dangers on construction sites so that they will not be a danger to themselves or their co-workers.
Who pays for the Safe Pass course?
Generally the employer pays for the Safe Pass course. The employer under section 10, 25 & 26 of Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005 is responsible to allow employees time off from their duties for awareness training as may be reasonable having regard to their health and safety without loss of remuneration.
What areas are served by public tranport with direct connections to NISO training centre in Dublin:
The following areas are served by direct bus / luas routes: Buses: 9, 27; 56A, 77a, Red LUAS: alight at Kingswood.
Artane, Ballymount, Belgard, Blackhorse, Bluebell, Bolbrook, Busáras, Cheeverstown, City Centre, Citywest, Clare Hall, Connolly Station, Cookstown, Coolock, Cork Street, Crumlin Road, Dolphin’s Barn, Donnycarney, Drimnagh, Fairview, Fatima, Fettercairn, Fortunestown, George’s Dock, Goldenbridge, Greenhills Road, Heuston, James’s Hospital, Jobstown, Kingswood, Kylemore, Long Mile Road, Lower Ballymount Road, Mayor Square, NCI, Old Bawn, Pearse Street, Raheen, Raheny, Red Cow, Ringsend, Ringsend Road, Saggart, Smithfield, Spencer Dock, Suir Road, Tallaght, Tara Street Station, The Point, Tymon Park Road, Walkinstown.
http://niso.ie/contact/direct-public-transport/
When do I need to renew my Safe Pass training?
Safe Pass awareness training should be renewed every 4 years.
What is the minimum age for Safe Pass Awareness Training?
You must be at least 16 years of age at the time of training.
Is there a minimum or maximum size class?
Under SOLAS rules, there must be a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 20 persons for the course to operate. Please note that these are SOLAS rules and not NISO rules. NISO reserves the right to set its own minimum attendance requirement.
Safe Pass equivalent courses
Schedule 4 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 provides for the recognition of equivalent safety awareness schemes approved by SOLAS. The Construction Skills Register (CSR Northern Ireland) one day health and safety course is the only course recognised as equivalent to the SOLAS Safe Pass course. Any person wishing to avail of this recognition must be in possession of a current CSR Health and Safety card. Please note that it is the construction site that dictates if the CSR card is acceptable.
Replacement Safe Pass Cards - Lost Safe Pass Cards
If your Safe Pass Registration Card has been lost, stolen or damaged you can apply for a replacement which costs €32. Please complete the Online Replacement Card Form, attach a current passport-quality photograph and complete the online payment. Please remember to use a high-quality photo. Applications may be rejected if your photo is low quality. Replacement cards are generally issued within two to three weeks of receipt of your fully completed replacement form and correct payment.
Address for correspondence: SOLAS Safe Pass Registration, Safe Pass Scheme Services To Business Block 1, Castleforbes House, Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1. D01 A8N0
https://cardrenewals.solas.ie/#/spass/replace
Training
Ensure that the training organisation you select is an Approved Training Organisation registered with SOLAS for the provision of Safe Pass training.
The National Irish Safety Organisation is an approved Training Organisation registered with SOLAS. [Organisation ID Number: 903826]
To Find an Approved Training Organisation please click on this link
What do I bring on the day of the course?
One current passport size photograph (this can be provided at a cost on the day [Dublin only] if prior notice is received) [For SOLAS Safe Pass card]
Proof of Identification (ID): e.g. drivers licence, passport or public service card.
An Irish PPS number or a UK National Insurance Number (NIN) for participants residing in Ireland or the UK only [SOLAS requirement].
A process number (for participants residing outside of Ireland / UK with no Irish PPS number or UK NIN number). This can be applied for five working days prior to the commencement of the course [SOLAS requirement]. Your English language must be good and you must have booked for our course. If a process number is not issued on time, your course fees will be refunded.
Payment or proof of payment
The course is taught in English unless previously arranged (all participants are required to have a good working knowledge of the English language).
Participants should tell us if they have any special needs when booking the course.
Non Irish / UK Candidates
Applications submitted on behalf of non Irish / UK candidates who are temporarily working for a specified period of time on a main contract in the Republic of Ireland and are employed by a subcontracting construction company must provide evidence as documented in the application/registration form in addition to evidence of their employment status and their national security number from their country of origin. Only in these circumstances may a SOLAS Safe Pass process number be obtained. An application for a process number should be made at least five working days before the course commencement date.
The details for SOLAS Safe Pass registration for non-national candidates must contain:
Candidates first name
Candidates surname
Candidates Date of Birth
Candidates Country of Origin
Candidates Social Security / PPS Number
Candidates Employer
Employers Address / Email
Main Contractor
Main Contractor Address / Email
Site Location
Process Number
Book Safe Pass
https://niso.ie/product/safepass/
Further Information
More information can be obtained from SOLAS on their website www.solas.ie
Tel: + 353 (01) 533 2500
Email safepass@solas.ie
Information relating to Safe Pass above courtesy of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and SOLAS as at November 2024.
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industry/construction/training_in_construction/safe_pass/
https://www.solas.ie/construction-lp/course-information/#safe-pass