CPCS Slinger/Signaller (A40)

What is the CPCS Slinger Signaller course (A40)?

The CPCS Slinger Signaller (A40) category of plant training and testing teaches the relevant operational and safety requirements applicable to slinging and signalling any type of crane. Earning you your red CPCS trained operator card.

Knowledge and Skills covered on the Slinger Signaller course will include:

• Identify different types of lifting equipment and plan lifting operations
• Understand the limits of lifting equipment
• Understand the relevant regulations that apply to lifting operations
• Conduct pre-use checks and post-lift checks
• Monitoring the compliance of the team with H&S regulations

Course duration

Foundation training courses are for beginners and those with some experience. These courses run over 4 days.

Mandatory entry requirements

• Hold the relevant CITB health, safety and environment test, passed no more than two years before the course start date
• Good understanding of spoken and written English.

If you have any questions about the Slinger Signaller 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 Slinger Signaller course:

• The nature of the sector of industry and your role and responsibilities as a slinger signaller.
• The purpose of differing types of lifting equipment and lifting accessories, basic construction, uses and applications, characteristics and terminology.
• Manufacturers requirements as per technical data, other types of information source and relevant regulations and legislation.
• Interpret and extract information on all relevant documentation.
• Undertake all pre-use checks on non-specialist lifting equipment (relevant to the endorsement) and identify non-serviceable accessories.
• Identify specialist lifting accessories relevant to the endorsement.
• Explain when additional skills and knowledge for lifting operations may be required.
• Procedures for placing non-serviceable items out-of-service.
• Confirm methods of communication with the machine operator.
• Identify centres of gravity and weights of loads.
• Prepare and ready the area of operation and maintain exclusion zones.
• Choose the relevant lifting accessory for a given load.
• Explain actions required for hazards including underground and overhead services.
• Secure and detach various types of load to the requisite lifting hooks using the relevant lifting accessory and procedures.
• Ensure load balance, security and integrity.
• Guide and control the movement of loads to different types of location.
• Explain the importance and locations of positions of safety for a slinger and other personnel.
• Use and comply with a range of communication procedures.
• Provide directions where the machine operator cannot observe the full path of the load.
• Maintain safe working situations.
• Assess and confirm that the area for machine movement is suitable for manoeuvring activities and contains suitable locations to undertake marshalling duties.
• Control loads during pick-and-carry duties (endorsement A, D and E).
• Carry out out-of-service, storing and securing procedures.

Assessment

You will take both a theory and practical assessment for your CPCS Slinger Signaller 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 in the theory test.
Your practical test will assess your operating ability through practical activities based on the core skills needed to operate safely and effectively as a Slinger Signaller.

What happens on a Slinger Signaller 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 2 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 Slinger Signaller 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 Slinger Signaller course (A40):

On receiving payment for your Crane Supervisor 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 a 4-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 (supervisor or managers and professionals level) passed no more than two years before the course start date
• 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.