Level 1 Award Health and Safety Awareness in Construction for CSCS Green Card

If you need the CSCS Green Labourer Card, you’ll usually need two things:

1. The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (RQF), and

2. A pass in the CITB Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Operatives test.

This page is for the Level 1 Award—the recognised health & safety qualification that proves you understand essential on-site safety, risks, and responsibilities.

What is the Level 1 Award Health & Safety (CSCS Green Card course)?

The Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment is a knowledge-based qualification designed to show you understand key safety issues on UK construction sites. It is widely accepted as the qualification requirement for the CSCS Labourer (Green) card.

It’s ideal if you are:

• Starting work on site for the first time

• Moving into labouring / general operative work

• Returning to construction and need the right entry-level safety qualification

Important: The CSCS Labourer card is for unskilled labouring roles. Don’t apply for this card if you work in a skilled occupation.

What you’ll learn (course syllabus)

This course is built around the core health & safety knowledge expected on site, including:

• Why health & safety matters (accidents, injuries, ill health)

• Employer and employee legal responsibilities

• Risk assessments and method statements

• Working at height (safe systems, controls)

• Manual handling (safe lifting, reducing injury risk)

• Noise, vibration, and occupational health basics

• Slips, trips, and common causes of incidents

• Mobile plant, vehicles, and site traffic safety

• Fire safety and electrical safety essentials

• Hazardous substances (including asbestos awareness)

• PPE, safety signs, welfare facilities, and personal hygiene

• Emergency procedures, first aid basics, and reporting incidents

(Structured learning + revision support is included.)

How the online course + exam works

Step 1: Learn online (self-paced)
Mobile-friendly learning with short progress checks. Video subtitles may be available in multiple languages depending on the learning content.

Step 2: Practise with progress tests + a full preparation assessment
So you know exactly what to revise before the real exam.

Step 3: Sit the Level 1 exam

• Online multiple-choice exam can be taken on a laptop with a camera in a quiet space (remote invigilation)

• Or you can choose a locally convenient approved exam location (where available)

• The qualification exam is delivered in English

Step 4: Get your certificate
After a pass, your official certificate is issued and sent by email.

Typical time to complete: many learners finish the learning in 4–6 hours (self-paced).

What to do after you pass (CSCS Green Card next steps)

To apply for the CSCS Labourer (Green) card, you’ll also need to pass the CITB HS&E Operatives test.

CITB test facts (Operatives):

• 50 questions / 45 minutes

• Pass mark: 90% (45/50)

Labourer card validity update (Feb 2025):

• First-time Labourer card is valid for 2 years

• Renewal can be 5 years if you provide evidence you’re employed in a labouring role

• The HS&E test used for the initial application has extended validity (3 years) to support renewal use

Who this course is for (and who it isn’t)

This course is right for you if:

• You’re going for the CSCS Green Labourer card

• You need an accepted Level 1 Health & Safety in a Construction Environment qualification

• You want the flexibility of online learning + exam options

This course is NOT right if:

• You work in a skilled trade (e.g., electrician, carpenter, bricklayer) and need a skilled worker pathway/card instead of Labourer

(If you’re unsure, use your “What CSCS Card do I need?” guidance on the site.)

Frequently Asked Questions