Plant sector representative body established
29 November 2022
A number of construction-based federations have fully established a plant-focused sector representative organisation (SRO) known as the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO).
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) identified the need for such employer-focused organisations to work with standard setting bodies, such as CITB in agreeing suitable qualifications and any additional sector requirements for use with any CSCS-logoed card schemes.
The need for a plant-based SRO was identified because both of a collective concern over the then sale by CITB of the leading plant card scheme, CPCS, and an increasing proliferation of plant-based card schemes being offered to the construction sector.
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) found that employers felt it was not clear what the various card schemes offered and that there should be national minimum technical and delivery standards set by an industry-led body for all card schemes to abide by.
CPA shared the feedback with other relevant bodies and in early 2020 the now-named PSRO was formed. The pandemic initially delayed progress but the organisation has been established as a private limited company to ensure impartiality.
The principal aim of the PSRO is to represent the users and owners of construction plant and advise both industry and any relevant authoritative bodies, including the CLC, on the standards required for the training, assessment and certification of plant-based occupations. These include operators, maintenance, installation, inspection, hire, delivery and direct-supporting roles.
Two sub-groups have also been established. These report to the Board and include a Technical Review Group and a Certificating Bodies Group. A dedicated website provides information on the PSRO’s aims, objectives and current projects.
Kevin Minton, chair of the PSRO Board said: “Feedback from the sector indicated that respect for card schemes is relatively low in terms of assessment and quality assurance and that the variations amongst the card schemes is causing confusion with employers, who have limited time available to understand them.
“On behalf of the PSRO Board Members, we’re pleased that the construction sector federations have come together to form the PSRO and are starting to provide overarching solutions to these employer concerns. We also acknowledge the co-operation of CITB and of all the card schemes who have joined the Certificating Bodies Group.”
Board members include Build UK, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, CPA, Federation of Piling Specialists, Home Builders Federation, National Federation of Demolition Contractors and the Scottish Plant Owners Association.
