Apply now for your ACRIB SKILLcard
On 9th May the ACRIB Refrigerant Handling Registration scheme was officially re-lauched as a joint ACRIB SKILLcard register. The scheme combines the environmental benefits of the longstanding ACRIB scheme with the health and safety benefits of the widely recognised Engineering Services SKILLcard scheme.
You can print off an introductory leaflet here and download application forms which outline the criteria for the new scheme:
- ACRIB SKILLcard Refrigerant Handling card (Construction related occupation). Operatives must meet SKILLcard health and safety requirements and hold an appropriate refrigerant qualification, such as City and Guilds 2079 ConstructionSkills J11, or relevant ammonia qualifications as listed on the application form.
- ACRIB RAC Engineering SKILLCard for those who hold an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 or equivalent as well as the appropriate F-gas or Ammonia qualification
- ACRIB Skilled Workers SKILLCard for those who hold an NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent and an appropriate F-gas or Ammonia qualification
The joint scheme is being administered by a dedicated Engineering Services SKILLcard team who can be contacted on 01768 860406.
Full details of the scheme including the relevant health and safety requirements and an on line application procedure are available at http://www.skillcard.org.uk/ACRIBSKILLcard.aspx
More about ACRIB SKILLcard Registration
Any individual who handles refrigerants should be able to do so safely and with due regard to the environment, and the scheme aims to provide a voluntary national register of all those individuals who have successfully completed an approved refrigerant handling competence assessment. If you have taken a refrigerant handling or F Gas assessment regisbenefits of an improved and more secure card, lower cost registration fee of £35 and faster turn around of applications.
Why has the scheme changed?
In response to employers concerns about the number of different registration cards and a desire to raise the profile of the refrigerant handling scheme ACRIB has entered into a partnership with the Engineering Services SKILLcard scheme which is the most widely recognised card scheme in the UK sector.
Why is it needed?
The object of the scheme is to update and raise the standards of individuals' competence as part of the refrigeration industry's response to the increasingly important environmental and health and safety demands made by society and the constantly changing technological requirements. Whilst the legal requirement is that companies obtain certificates in order to carry out F gas related activities and that individuals hold a valid F gas qualification, the easiest way for employers or customers to verify that an individual is qualified is to request sight of a single ACRIB SKILLcard. Many end users are also asking whether individuals are qualified to work on alternative refrigerants such as hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide and this scheme will be able to accept national qualifications when they become available later in 2011.
Who is running the scheme?
The scheme run jointly by ACRIB and the Engineering Services SKILLcard team. A joint steering group will monitor effectiveness, amendment and take up of the scheme.
How long are cards valid for?
The Refrigerant Handling (Construction related occupation) Cards are valid for 3 years from date of issue. The RAC Engineering and Skilled Workers card are valid for 5 years. The card fee is now just £35 for either card.
Is individual registration compulsory?
Registration is purely voluntary, although ACRIB continues to press for a mandatory national register of individuals to help implement the F Gas Regulations. However it is current illegal to work on ODS or F Gas Refrigerants unless you hold an F gas qualification under GB legislation. Some employers or customers may require that you have ACRIB registration and/or and Engineering Services SKILLcard and with a single ACRIB SKILLcard you can fulfill both of these obligations.
Why should I bother?
It is vital that the industry faces up to its responsibilities to protect the environment. Studies have shown that considerable amounts of refrigerants are used through unnecessary leakage and bad practice, and one way of overcoming this is to ensure that only competent people handle refrigerants. It is also clear that end users of refrigeration equipment are demanding that companies servicing and supplying equipment provide evidence of their personnel's competence.
This registration scheme provides industry and individuals with an industry-led national standard which can be recognised by all. The registration scheme gives individuals, companies and customers the confidence that they are using recognised, competent personnel.
What happens when my existing ACRIB card expires?
Registrants on the old ACRIB card scheme will be contacted by the new ACRIB SKILLcard team before their card expiry date with details of how to renew onto the new scheme.
I recently obtained an ACRIB card and would like to upgrade this to a new card
Special arrangements are in place for those whose card was issued in the last few months and who hold appropriate health and safety certificates. Contact the ACRIB SKILLcard team on 01768 860406.
A Note on Company Registration Schemes
- The current legal requirement is that all companies who are involved in work covered by the F Gas Regulations must hold a Company Certificate. This is obtained by meeting some basic criteria including the individual certification of al relevant staff with recognised F Gas Qualifications. Details of company certification bodies are available from the F Gas Support help service.
- A voluntary company registration scheme for responsible refrigerant use and monitoring, REFCOM Elite, is managed by REFCOM . Company members of Refcom Elite are entitled to discounts on the ACRIB SKILLcard individual registration fee. Contact the ACRIB SKILLcard team on 01768 860406 for details.