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Paper is fast disappearing from construction sites as contractors take their laptops and mobiles on site. It is not just the production side of the industry that is benefitting from digital technology either, as administrative tasks can just as easily be simplified using the latest devices - in this particular case, smart cards.

The old Barclaycard has certainly evolved since its inception and cards can now handle substantially more information than they used to, and can be read by an increasing number of devices - swiped, scanned or simply waved at a reader using Wi-Fi to pick up the signal.

That makes it an ideal medium for storing personal records - just stick it in your wallet alongside your debit/credit cards - enabling progressive companies like McGee to take advantage of them as part of its drive to increase efficiency and improve safety on construction sites.

Subcontractors and employees have to provide up to date information about their qualifications etc., and by developing bespoke mobile applications to replace the old, time consuming paper based processes, McGee is able to use CSCS smart cards to automate the checking and recording of workers' identities, qualifications and training.

McGee Group, the broad based construction company and multi-disciplined specialist contractor, is using Android phones and tablets to scan workers CSCS smart cards both to check that they are valid and then to extract and store the information held on the cards in its cloud-based database. This gives authorised site managers and administrators across McGee's operations the ability to access the information held to verify workers' records and confirm that they have the correct qualifications to carry out their work on site - without having to wade through reams of paperwork to do so.

Director John McGee says: "Recording workers details in this way means that we can eradicate a great deal of form filling and multiple inputs to databases. Just reading a worker's CSCS smart card means that their record is not only accurately captured within seconds but that it's available wherever and whenever authorised users need it."

CSCS Smart cards have other benefits as well. Besides their obvious use for access control, and time and attendance recording, their use enables administrators to eliminate incorrect or fake cards, and control authorised access to the site.

Workers can easily and immediately be checked to see that they hold the correct qualifications for the jobs they have been asked to do, and as the smart cards can hold a considerable amount of information, one card can be used for additional functions, and additional training information can be added to the cards at any time.

About CSCS
CSCS is familiar to everybody in the construction industry. It is the leading skills certification scheme within the UK construction industry. Besides the fact that most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their sites to hold a valid CSCS card - with over 1.9 million already issued, the organisation keeps a database of people working in construction who have achieved, or are committed to achieving a recognised construction related qualification.

CSCS is a not-for-profit limited company. Its directors are from employer organisations and unions representing the breadth of the industry, and the Scheme's application processing and contact centre is delivered under contract by CITB.

Employee smart cards are just one of a series of bespoke mobile applications developed by CSCS for McGee, in partnership with Mobilengine, which specialises in creating apps that mimic company’s business processes.

CSCS chief executive Graham Wren said: "Companies like McGee are adding to the growing list of organisations using the technology embedded in CSCS smart cards. McGee can now be confident that everyone on site has the correct qualifications for the job they do. The technology really is simple and cost effective and it's great to see McGee benefiting from improved productivity and safety on its construction sites."

The McGee Group
The McGee Group has been family owned and managed for over 50 years and delivers a wide spectrum of decontamination, demolition, construction and civil engineering services - operating as a specialist subcontractor or main contractor. McGee also provides telecommunications, recycling and land engineering services. www.mcgee.co.uk