At the 'other end of the spectrum' I just had to resit my CITB Healh And Safety Awareness course and the CITB Health, Safety and Environment course, in order to obtain a new CSCS card to be allowed (but not necessarily qualified) to work on construction sites. Both tests were so laughably easy I could have done them both on a large dose of LSD and still got 100% in each, which I did. I read some questions out to my mother on the phone, who's 83, and she laughed her head off and said 'But that's junior school level!'. Though I was congratulated by the testing receptionist for my 'excellent' result. So far this farce has cost me ?178, and obtaining the card itself will cost me another ?36 - assuming I ever get my pass certificate for the first course from the CITB, which is now two weeks ago. But then plastic is so expensive, what with a war on.
Seven of the guys I did the course with worked in civil engineering - when the 'tutor' went around the room asking us all what our trade was, and I was last to be asked and said 'rope access', he went "Oooooohhh", but not in a good way. Translation: we've got a clever dick here. But I am, it's not my bloody fault. Anyway, the upshot is that by passing these courses, holes still get dug - that's about the best it can achieve.
On the way home from the second safety test I watched a council-contracted workman in Sheffield city centre using a petrol disc cutter on a paving slab, with no goggles, ear defenders, face mask or dust supression methods, nor any safety barriers for the public. Frankly, I'd like a full refund from CITB, but that's another protection racket to take on.