37º IAHS World Congress on Housing: - Universidad de Cantabria

XXXVII <strong>IAHS</strong><strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> on HousingOctober 26 – 29, 2010, Santander, SpainCODE: 406THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL CARDIN SPAINLuis Rosel Ajamil i , David de Teresa Escolar i , and José A. Viejo Rodríguez iii Department of Health and Safetyii Department of TrainingFundación Laboral de la Construccióne-mail: lrosel@fundacionlaboral.org; ddeteresa@fundacionlaboral.org; jviejo@fundacionlaboral.orgKey words: TPC, professional card, health, safety, SpainAbstractThe accident rates in the construction industry in Spain are historically high compared to therates in the rest of industries in Spain. Consequently both the authorities and the social agentshave been looking for measures to decrease the number of accidents.Therefore the Collective Agreement of the Spanish Construction Sector for the period 2007 –2011 [1] meant the launch of the Construction Industry Professional Card (TPC). It is anambitious project focused on the professionalization of the sector and the improvement of theaccidents rates that will culminate on December 31st, 2011, when it will be mandatory for allthe employees working in construction companies affected by the above mentionedAgreement, independently of their nationality. Nowadays the request of TPC for the workersis voluntary, and it will gradually become extensive to the totality of the active population ofthe sector.In order to achieve these goals, it is mandatory to have passed at least an 8-hour minimumtraining in health and safety to obtain the TPC. Likewise a second cycle of health& safetytraining is compulsory in accordance with every position or trade, being its length about 20hours, although there are some exceptions. In addition to, the TPC is a card which allowsworkers to accredit all their training, their professional category and experience, their medicalexaminations, etc.The Collective Agreement establishes that Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (LabourFoundation of Construction), a paritarian institution belonging to employers’ association andtrade unions, will be in charge of the development and issue of the above mentioned card.From its beginning in September 2007, Fundación Laboral de la Construcción has alreadyissued over 230.000 TPC (April 2010).37º <strong>IAHS</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> On Housing Science 198