Who’s Eligible for a HSA?

If you’re setting your sights on a career in the UK construction industry, or need to secure your first site-access credential, you’ve likely encountered the term CSCS Green Card. This card is the essential ‘passport’ for general labourers and new entrants, proving you have a foundational understanding of site safety. A crucial component of obtaining this card is completing the Health and Safety Awareness (HSA) course (officially known as the CITB Health and Safety Awareness course).

The good news is that the eligibility criteria for the course are designed to be as accessible as possible, ensuring that the industry’s safety standard starts at the ground floor.

HSA

Accessibility for New Industry Entrants

The course is explicitly designed as the low-barrier entry point into the regulated UK construction sector. Unlike higher-level CSCS cards (like the Blue Skilled Worker or Black Manager card) which require formal vocational qualifications (NVQs), the course has no formal academic prerequisites. You don’t need GCSEs, A-Levels, or prior construction experience. The training is tailored for:

New entrants starting their first job in construction.
General labourers who need to work legally on-site.
Apprentices and Trainees as part of their initial safety induction.
Self-employed workers performing general site duties.

The Dual Requirement for the CSCS Green Card

It’s important to remember that completing the course is only the first of two mandatory steps to get the actual CSCS Green Card. Once you’ve completed the HSA course, you must also pass the separate CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test for Operatives within the last two years. Only after securing both certificates can you apply for your Green Labourer Card, giving you the necessary credentials to work compliantly across UK sites.

HSA Green Card Course

Frequently Asked Questions