CPCS Appointed Persons: Lifting Operations (A61)

CPCS Appointed Persons: Lifting Operations Course

The 4 or 5-day CPCS Appointed Persons course will will teach managers and supervisors their responsibilities around lifting operations and how to fulfil them safely and effectively.

If you already hold the CPCS Code A40 Slinger/Signaller, you will also achieve the CPCS Code A62 Crane Supervisor qualification.

Knowledge and skills covered on the Appointed Person course will include:

• The roles and responsibilities of an appointed person
• Understand the relevant health and safety legislation and regulations
• Understand the principles of a risk assessment and the importance of safe system of work
• Plan and organise lifting operation
• Monitoring and supervise lifting operations
• Effective communication with other members of the team
• Identify and manage hazards and risks
• Record-keeping

Course duration

Foundation training courses are for managers and supervisors that are beginners or those with some experience of planning lifting operations. You should have some knowledge of how to plan a safe lifting operation. These courses run over 4 or 5 days.

Mandatory entry requirements

• CITB health, safety and environment test (managers and professionals level) passed no more than two years before the course start date
• You should have sufficient experience of cranes to meet the requirements specified in British standard 7121 Safe Use of Cranes
• Good understanding of spoken and written English.

If you have any questions about the Appointed Person course, please contact a member of our team by phone, speak to us on the chat, or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

You will cover the following learning objectives on your Appointed Person course:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of an appointed person in the construction industry
• Comprehend the relevant health and safety legislation and regulations, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• Understand the principles of risk assessment and the importance of safe work systems
• Plan and organise lifting operations, including equipment selection, the use of lifting accessories, and preparation of a lift plan
• Describe different types of cranes and associated terminology
• Understand crane documentation
• Understand crane stability, duty charts and safety devices
• Monitor and supervise lifting operations, including the use of safe signalling procedures, equipment inspection and maintenance, and emergency situation management
• Observe British Standard 7121 Safe Use of Cranes Guidelines sections 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Communicate effectively with other members of the lifting team and relevant parties, such as the crane operator, site manager, and client
• Identify and manage hazards and risks associated with lifting operations, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Emphasise the importance of record-keeping and maintaining accurate and complete records of lifting operations

Assessment

You will take both a theory and practical assessment for your CPCS Appointed Persons course.
You will take a theory assessment in the form of the CPCS verbal test. You need to achieve 80%, plus full marks on any mandatory questions to pass the standard set for the theory test.
In your practical test you will be assessed through practical activities based on the core skills needed outlined in the learning objectives.

What happens on an Appointed Person Course?

Most CPCS courses will run in the following format:

• Day 1 - mostly theory-based classroom training. This is to ensure that you are confident with the theory aspect before you go out and complete the practical training. Depending on how your theory learning goes, you may get practical training for some of the day on your first day.
• The next 3 days of learning is usually putting your theory knowledge into practice by completing the practical exercises of your training.
• On the final day of your course, you will complete your theory test preparation by completing mock exam questions, and then complete your actual assessment: the CPCS technical tests.

What qualification will I get on the CPCS Appointed Person course?

• CPCS Trained Operator Card (red card) on passing the CPCS technical tests.
• CITB National Construction College e-certificate, available on request from CITB.

Once you have booked your Appointed Person course (A61):

On receiving payment for your CPCS Appointed Person (A61) course, an email with your ‘course joining instructions’ is sent to you.
This document includes the following details:

• Your chosen course start date and subsequent dates (this is either a 4 or 5-day course)
• Course start time at your chosen venue
• Address of your chosen venue, including a map screenshot
• Details of what to do if you need any special requirements to complete the course

You need to bring photographic ID, such as a driving licence or passport with you.

Lunch is not included, so please provide your own.

Mandatory entry requirements

• CITB health, safety and environment test (managers and professionals level) passed no more than two years before the course start date
• You should have sufficient experience of cranes to meet the requirements specified in British standard 7121 Safe Use of Cranes
• Good understanding of spoken and written English.

Special Considerations

The delegate can have additional time for their theory test which is a verbal or taped verbal test. If a translator is required, this will incur additional costs and will need to be arranged in advance.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding support during the course, please contact our team on 0800 0213 263.

Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS)

The CPCS covers an extensive range of plant categories. The Construction Plant Competence Scheme uses practical and written assessments to ensure you are competent in your chosen category. These assessments are taken at the end of your training.

1. Pass the relevant Health, Safety and Environment Test.
2. Attend training days in your chosen category.
3. At the end of your training, complete your category assessments (assessment fee's are included in your course price).
4. Receive your Trained Operator (red) or Competent Operator (blue) card.

What is the difference between the Red and Blue CPCS Card?

You can start working within your chosen category once you have earned the Red (trained operator) card. The card confirms the core skills, knowledge and understanding required. However, a newly trained operator will still require full and close supervision until they deemed sufficiently experienced to without supervision. That is where the Blue CPCS card comes in.

Red CPCS Card
Each category on your red card will have it's own 2 year expiry date the card itself has no expiry. Your Red card is not renewable, this is to ensure progression towards your competent card (The Blue CPCS card). During the 2 years you will be expected to register and achieve a NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) or SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) and upgrade to the Blue (competent operator) card.

Blue CPCS Card
To earn your Blue card you must meet the requirements of the Red card plus complete an NVQ or SVQ in your category.
Your Blue card will last for 5 years, each category on the card will have the expiry of the card itself. You will have to renew your card within the 5 years.

If you would like to read more about the application process for Red and Blue CPCS cards, read this 'How to get your CPCS Card' document from CPCS.

Grants

This course may be eligible for 1 or more CITB grants. You can check the eligibility of the course on the CITB Grants and funding page.