The Considerate Construction Scheme (CCS) has just released a new code of practice which has been in development for three years.

All CCS-registered sites will be assessed on the new five-point code from 1 January next year.

Scheme monitors will be using the new supporting checklist when assessing registered sites and companies.

The new system follows 15 years of an unchanged eight-point code. CCS felt that it was time to raise the bar due to rising standards, as well as the fact that so few sites were failing to meet the code.

From 1 January 2013, the five sections of the code will be:

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- Enhancing the appearance

- Respecting the community

- Protecting the environment

- Securing everyone’s safety

- Caring for the workforce.

Each section will also be accompanied by an aspirational statement, followed by four bullet points to detail the areas the scheme will consider within that section.

Each section is scored out of 10 points, a score of 5 in each section signifying compliance.

Achieving a score of 10 will require registered sites or companies to use innovative practices or thinking that can be considered to be advancing the standards by which the image of the industry is judged.

Scheme chief executive Edward Hardy said: "After three years in development, the scheme is pleased to publish the new code and supporting documents. Working with a number of contractors and clients throughout the review process, the scheme is confident that the new code remains in keeping with the industry’s values, and presents an exciting challenge for registered sites and companies in raising the benchmark of considerate construction."

(IT)