The Construction Skills Certification Scheme and the Construction Industry Training Board confirmed today they have revoked 4,615 cards.

The move follows a probe into fraudulent activity at centres where candidates were taking tests accredited by both CITB and the British Safety Council which was highlighted on BBC’s Newsnight.

CSCS wrote to all affected card holders in November to tell them that they needed to retake their Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test.

Vouchers were provided to pay for retesting and steps were taken to reduce inconvenience for businesses.

More than 6,000 candidates who had completed the HS&E Test and 2,000 people who had completed the Site Safety Plus certificate were required to retake their test.

They were asked to register by 20 December 2105 or risk the cancellation of their CSCS card.

A total of 5,480 did not register to retake their test and as a result their test result is now void and of those individuals who have already used their test result to obtain a card, 4,615 cards have been revoked.

The 553 remaining candidates have until the 14 February to successfully take their test before their cards are also revoked.

Graham Wren, Chief Executive at CSCS, said: “We take assurance that CITB’s in-depth analysis was accurate.

“While we accept that some people have been inconvenienced we have kept this to a minimum and removed unsafe cards from circulation.”

“We are urging employers to check the validity of all cards by either electronically reading the CSCS SmartCard or by using “Card Checker” via the CITB website, to make sure that invalid cards are not permitted on site.

“While the number of people suspected of fraudulent activity is relatively small, compared to the 400,000 cards issued each year, this type of behaviour has the potential to undermine legitimate employees and harm the reputation of the industry.

“It is important employers are able to trust the training and qualification providers as well as the card certification schemes carrying the CSCS logo.”