Excavator as a Crane Training in Gloucester

NPORS N100 Excavator Lifting Training for Gloucester Businesses & Operators

Excavator as a Crane Training in Gloucester

If your excavator operators are lifting pipes, manhole rings, trench boxes, chambers or other suspended loads, make sure their training covers the lifting work they are actually expected to carry out. Vally Plant Training delivers NPORS N100 Excavator as a Crane Training in Gloucester and across Gloucestershire, either at a suitable customer site or at our dedicated Tewkesbury training centre.

For Gloucester employers with several experienced operators, bringing the training to your workplace can often be the most cost-effective option. Your team can train together using suitable familiar machinery, you reduce travelling time and the operators remain closer to the job. For an individual operator, smaller booking or a business without suitable lifting facilities, our Tewkesbury centre is only a short journey from Gloucester and provides the equipment and controlled environment needed for training.

We provide both NPORS accredited Excavator as a Crane Training and in-house certification. We can also look at the wider lifting team, including Slinger Signaller, Lift Supervisor and Appointed Person training, rather than treating each requirement as a completely separate booking.

A Practical Option for Gloucester Employers

Being close to our Tewkesbury centre gives Gloucester companies a useful choice. If you have one operator to train, sending them to us can be straightforward. If you have four, five or six experienced operators who all use excavators for lifting, bringing our trainer to your workplace may make much more commercial sense.

We can deliver training at suitable Gloucester sites where the machinery, lifting accessories, documentation and practical area meet the required standard.

This works particularly well for businesses involved in:

• Groundworks and drainage
• Utilities and service installation
• Civil engineering
• Housing developments
• Commercial construction
• Highways and infrastructure
• Plant hire
• Industrial sites
• Demolition and site clearance

Gloucester also has a significant amount of construction and industrial activity around areas such as Quedgeley, Hardwicke, Barnwood and the wider M5 corridor. The actual lifting tasks can vary enormously, which is why we would rather understand what your operators are lifting and what machine they use before simply booking them onto a course.

What Is NPORS N100 Excavator as a Crane Training?

NPORS N100 covers the additional knowledge and practical competence needed when a suitable excavator is used for lifting suspended loads. An experienced operator may be perfectly competent at digging foundations, grading, trenching and loading dumpers but that does not automatically mean they understand the additional risks created by lifting. Once a load is hanging below the excavator, the operator needs to think differently.

Training covers areas including:

• Rated lifting capacity
• Working radius
• Load charts
• Excavator configuration
• Approved lifting points
• Machine stability
• Ground conditions
• Lifting accessories
• Load attachment
• Suspended-load movement
• Communication
• Exclusion zones
• Safe placement of loads
• Lift planning awareness

For full national course information and transparent centre pricing, visit our NPORS Excavator as a Crane Training Course.

If the operator still needs the underlying excavator qualification, see our NPORS 360 Excavator Training Course.

Can You Use an Excavator to Lift Loads?

Yes, but not simply because the machine has a bucket and somewhere a chain can be attached.

HSE guidance says excavator lifting is permitted where the original manufacturer allows it, the machine has dedicated lifting points with safe working load markings, the manufacturer’s instructions are followed and the machine has undergone the required thorough examination. For machines with a lifting capacity above one tonne, HSE also identifies additional equipment requirements.

Having a trained operator does not turn an unsuitable excavator into suitable lifting equipment.

Excavators Are Primarily Earthmoving Machines

An excavator can be extremely useful for lifting during groundworks and drainage operations, but it was primarily designed as an earthmoving machine.

That means the first question should not be:

“Can the excavator physically pick this up?”

The better questions are:

Is this machine suitable for this particular lift?

What does its load chart permit at the required radius?

Is the machine set up correctly?

Are the lifting point and accessories suitable?

Has the lifting operation been properly planned?

Those are the decisions that matter before the load leaves the ground.

LOLER and Excavator Lifting

LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

LOLER places duties on businesses and organisations that own, operate or control lifting equipment. HSE states that lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely.

LOLER also covers the suitability and marking of lifting equipment and, where applicable, statutory thorough examination.

Our LOLER Explained Guide explains the regulations in more practical terms for operators and employers.

PUWER and the Employer’s Responsibilities

Excavators are also work equipment, which means PUWER – the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 – is relevant.

For an employer, the issue is bigger than whether somebody has an operator card.

The business needs to consider whether:

• The excavator is suitable for the work
• Lifting is permitted by the manufacturer
• The machine is correctly maintained
• Required examinations are current
• Lifting accessories are appropriate
• Operators have adequate training and competence
• Safe systems of work are in place

NPORS certification can provide evidence of operator training and assessment, but it does not take those responsibilities away from the employer.

What Will Operators Learn?

The course can cover:

• Operator responsibilities
• LOLER and PUWER awareness
• Manufacturer instructions
• Pre-use inspections
• Excavator suitability for lifting
• Approved lifting points
• Rated capacities
• Load charts
• Working radius
• Ground conditions
• Machine stability
• Lifting accessories
• Slinging awareness
• Suspended-load hazards
• Communication
• Exclusion zones
• Lifting-team responsibilities
• Lift planning awareness
• Safe lifting and placement
• Theory assessment
• Practical assessment

Load Charts – One of the Most Important Parts

One of the mistakes inexperienced lifting operators can make is thinking an excavator has one lifting capacity.

It doesn’t.

What the machine can safely lift can change considerably depending on where the load is in relation to the excavator.

Factors can include:

• Working radius
• Boom position
• Dipper position
• Lift height
• Machine orientation
• Attachment fitted
• Machine configuration

This becomes particularly important when placing pipes or chambers into an excavation.

The operator may pick a load up relatively close to the machine and then increase the working radius to position it. The fact that the excavator could initially lift the load does not mean the lift remains within capacity throughout the operation.

Stability During Excavator Lifting

Stability is another reason lifting needs to be treated differently from routine digging.

The operator needs to consider where the excavator is positioned in relation to:

• Trenches
• Excavation edges
• Soft ground
• Backfilled ground
• Slopes
• Voids
• Underground structures
• Changes in ground level

Ground conditions that seem acceptable for travelling or digging may need closer consideration once a suspended load is involved.

Lifting Points – Don’t Just Attach a Chain Anywhere

A lifting chain should not simply be attached to the bucket teeth, quick hitch or another convenient part of the machine because it happens to fit. HSE specifically refers to dedicated lifting points with safe working load markings when explaining the conditions under which excavators can be used for lifting. The operator should understand the manufacturer’s instructions and use the designated arrangement for the machine.

Lifting Accessories

Depending on the lift, operators and lifting teams may encounter:

• Chain slings
• Web slings
• Round slings
• Shackles
• Hooks
• Master links
• Other approved accessories

These need to be suitable for the load and lifting configuration. Condition, identification, working load limit, sling angles and method of attachment can all affect suitability.

Our Lifting Accessories Explained Guide goes into this subject in more detail.

Thorough Examination – Not the Same as the Daily Check

This causes confusion surprisingly often.

The operator’s pre-use inspection and a statutory thorough examination are not the same thing. The operator still carries out appropriate daily or pre-use checks, but where an excavator is used for lifting, the relevant LOLER thorough-examination requirements also need to be met.

HSE specifically lists thorough examination as one of the requirements when an excavator is used for lifting. The same principle applies to relevant lifting accessories.

Does Every Excavator Lift Need a Lift Plan?

Every lifting operation needs to be properly planned, but that does not mean every routine lift requires the same amount of paperwork as a complicated high-risk operation.

HSE’s LOLER guidance requires lifting operations to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely. The planning should be proportionate to the task.

Depending on the lift, consideration may include:

• Load weight
• Load dimensions
• Centre of gravity
• Excavator capacity
• Working radius
• Ground conditions
• Lifting accessories
• Load travel path
• Landing position
• Excavation edges
• Nearby structures
• Underground services
• Overhead hazards
• Communication
• Exclusion zones
• Personnel involved

Who Else Is Involved in an Excavator Lift?

The operator is only one part of many lifting operations. Depending on the work, the team may also include a:

Slinger Signaller – involved in preparing, attaching and controlling loads and communicating with the operator.

Lift Supervisor – supervises the lifting operation and helps ensure the agreed method is followed.

Appointed Person – may be responsible for planning the lifting operation.

We also provide NPORS Slinger Signaller Training, Lift Supervisor Training and Appointed Person Lifting Operations Training.

On-Site Training Requirements in Gloucester

Before we arrive at your Gloucester workplace, we need to know that the training can be delivered properly.

Depending on the course, you may need:

• A suitable excavator approved for lifting
• Manufacturer’s operator manual
• Designated lifting point
• Current thorough-examination documentation
• Suitable lifting accessories
• Current accessory examination records
• Suitable loads
• Safe practical lifting area
• Suitable ground conditions
• Risk assessments
• Method statements
• Lift plan where required
• Candidate PPE
• Photo ID
• Separation from unrelated site activity

Our On-Site Plant Training Requirements Guide should be checked before arranging customer-site training.

Gloucester On-Site Training or Tewkesbury Centre?

Because Gloucester is close to Vally Plant Training, there is no single answer that is best for everybody. For one operator, travelling to Tewkesbury may be simplest.

For several experienced operators, it can be more economical for us to travel to the business, particularly when you already have suitable machinery and lifting equipment. Our transparent published course prices apply to training and testing at our Tewkesbury training centre.

Gloucester customer-site training is quoted separately, normally considering:

• Number of candidates
• Experienced or novice route
• Number of training days
• Site location
• Machinery available
• Lifting accessories
• Additional courses required

Discounts may be available for multiple candidates and multi-course bookings.

For centre prices and complete course details, visit our NPORS Excavator as a Crane Training Course.

Training at Our Nearby Tewkesbury Centre

Our training centre at Newton Farm Business Park, Ashchurch is conveniently located for Gloucester operators. We are close to Junction 9 of the M5, making the journey straightforward from Gloucester and the surrounding area.

For candidates travelling by public transport, Ashchurch for Tewkesbury railway station is approximately a five-minute walk from the centre.

The centre option is particularly useful for:

• Individual operators
• Smaller company bookings
• Businesses without suitable lifting facilities
• Candidates who need a controlled training environment

NPORS Accredited or In-House Training?

NPORS N100

NPORS N100 is suitable where recognised accredited certification is required by the employer, site, client or principal contractor.

In-House Excavator as a Crane Training

We can also provide in-house Excavator as a Crane training and certification.

This may suit an employer that wants documented evidence of training and assessment for its own workforce but does not require an NPORS Operator Card. In-house certification can support an employer’s competence, health and safety and insurance arrangements where it is accepted, but it is not the same as an NPORS Operator Card. Acceptance should be confirmed with the relevant employer, client, principal contractor, site and insurer before choosing this route.

CITB Funding

Vally Plant Training is a CITB Training Provider Network Member.

Eligible CITB-registered employers may be able to access funding towards qualifying training, subject to current CITB rules and eligibility.

If your Gloucester company is CITB registered, mention this when asking us for a training quotation.

Excavator as a Crane Training Across Gloucester & Gloucestershire

Customer-site training can be arranged at suitable workplaces across Gloucester and surrounding areas, including:

• Gloucester
• Quedgeley
• Kingsway
• Hardwicke
• Hempsted
• Barnwood
• Brockworth
• Churchdown
• Hucclecote
• Longlevens
• Innsworth
• Gloucestershire and surrounding areas

For businesses further afield, Vally Plant Training also provides customer-site plant and lifting training throughout the UK.

Why Gloucester Companies Use Vally Plant Training

Vally Plant Training is a direct training provider rather than a course-booking broker. If you phone us and say you have five experienced excavator operators who lift drainage pipes in Gloucester, we can talk about that actual requirement.

We can look at:

• Operator experience
• Machine type
• Candidate numbers
• Typical loads
• NPORS requirements
• In-house certification
• Site facilities
• Lifting accessories
• Other lifting-team training
• Whether your site or our centre makes better financial sense

About Vally Plant Training

Vally Plant Training is a family-run plant and lifting training provider based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

Established in 2014, we provide practical operator training, Experienced Worker Tests, lifting courses and workplace assessment for individual operators and businesses working across construction, groundworks, utilities, civil engineering and related industries.

We are an NPORS Approved Training Provider and CITB Training Provider Network Member, providing accredited and in-house training at our Gloucestershire centre and suitable customer workplaces throughout the UK.

Related Training for Excavator Lifting Operations

NPORS 360 Excavator Training – for operators who need the underlying excavator training and assessment.

NPORS Slinger Signaller Training – for personnel involved in preparing, attaching and controlling loads and communicating with lifting-equipment operators.

Lift Supervisor Training – for personnel supervising lifting operations.

Appointed Person Lifting Operations Training – for personnel responsible for planning lifting operations.