Prison Sentence for Health & Safety Test Cheats

A 21 MONTH prison sentence was handed out to a man convicted of helping cheats to pass health, safety and environment (HS&E) tests.

In total, three people were found guilty of fraud in the construction HS&E tests at Snaresbrook Crown Court, London.

The convictions followed an investigation by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). They found the three fraudulently assisted people taking HS&E tests in London and Leeds.

The guilty cheats took payments to give those sitting the tests Bluetooth devices providing them with answers to questions to cheat and pass the tests.

Health & Safety Test Cheats

One of the fraudsters, a test facilitator, pleaded guilty to eight offences of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment.

The other two cheats, who took a minor part in the fraud and witnessed cheating without reporting it, were sentenced to an 18-month community order and curfew for six weeks respectively.

The convictions are the latest in CITB’s Operation Dobson, aiming to stop cheating in HS&E tests.

CITB’s counter fraud team works closely with law enforcement agencies and key stakeholders to detect, investigate and prevent maladministration, malpractice and fraud. The aim is to prevent untrained and unqualified people working on construction sites.

Over the past 3 years, 1,700 fraud incidents have been reported to or dealt with by the CITB counter fraud team. Additionally, 10 test centres have been closed and 2,210 HS&E test passes revoked.

Moreover, 1,100 CSCS cards have been withdrawn after CITB was contacted by law enforcement agencies.

Stamping Out Cheating

Chris Simpson, Head of CITB Quality & Standards said: “These latest convictions demonstrate our commitment to stamping out any kind of cheating or deception affecting our products and services.

“Falsifying health and safety qualifications means that the holder has not demonstrated the professional competence and awareness of health and safety legislation that is required for them to work safely in the construction industry.”

Construction employers can use CITB and CSCS card checkers to verify any cards, certificates, and qualifications.

People can report matters confidentially via report.it@citb.co.uk.

>> Read about more construction court cases in the news