Skip to main content

CPA publishes new ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ guidance document

A new Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group guidance document on ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ has been published by the UK-based CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association). The new ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ document aims to clarify methods for employers to manage, develop and record employees' competences to operate all types of plant. The HSE and CITB were key participants, alongside a wide range of other organisations. The guidance covers management of training and management o
May 19, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
A new Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group guidance document on ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ has been published by the UK-based CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association).

The new ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ document aims to clarify methods for employers to manage, develop and record employees' competences to operate all types of plant. The HSE and CITB were key participants, alongside a wide range of other organisations. The guidance covers management of training and management of experience as well as management of competence.

Launching the new guidance publication, the CPA stressed how construction plant, in particular mobile plant, has the potential to cause fatalities and serious injury. Consequently it is essential that people who operate construction plant are competent to do so. The duty to ensure that plant operators are competent rests with their employer and the process of ensuring competence requires cooperation between employers, training providers and operators, all of whom have a significant part to play in the process.

Heather Bryant, HM Chief Inspector of Construction and Chair of the Health and Safety Executive’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC), said, “The advice in this document is straightforward, comprehensive and easy to adopt. It has been prepared by industry representatives to demonstrate realistic means of complying with legal duties. However, following the guidance is not compulsory and may go further than the minimum you need to do in order to comply with the law.  I thank those who have been involved in its preparation and commend the guidance to anyone who employs people who work with construction plant and those with an interest in such matters.”

Achieving the necessary competence to carry out a particular task is a four stage process: Selection, Training and Assessment, Developing Competence and the final stage, Life Long Learning. Each of these stages is explained in detail in the CPA document.  

Kevin Minton, Director of CPA, said, “The new guidance was written to help promote understanding and sharing knowledge in an area which is often seen as difficult to discuss. I thank those industry bodies and individuals that were involved in its preparation – the strength of the guidance is founded on their experience and cooperative input.”

“Competence to Operate Construction Plant” is available for free download from the CPA website at %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal http://cpa.uk.net/sfpsg/#Competence Website: http://cpa.uk.net/sfpsg/#Competence false http://cpa.uk.net/sfpsg/#Competence false false%>

Related Content

  • Euro Auctions is expanding its global operations with new acquisition
    March 27, 2013
    Euro Auctions is revealing its expansion plans for 2013 with the addition of a new site to its operations. Based in Dromore, Northern Ireland, Euro Auctions has been conducting unreserved auctions of industrial equipment and construction machinery since 1998. The company has permanent auction sites in Northern Ireland, England, Germany, Spain, Australia and now the USA.
  • Hitachi Sumitomo’s European launch of new SCX1500A-3 hydraulic crawler crane
    January 6, 2017
    Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Company (HSC) says its new 150tonne capacity SCX1500A-3 hydraulic crane, being unveiled at bauma, has features to enhance its sustainability, mobility, performance and safety. Said to be suitable for construction, material handling and civil engineering applications, the SCX1500A-3 has been manufactured to comply with Stage IIIB emission regulations. Equipped with a powerful new-generation 210kW Isuzu engine, the sustainability of the 150tonne x4.5m lifti
  • Hitachi Sumitomo’s European launch of new SCX1500A-3 hydraulic crawler crane
    February 11, 2013
    Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Company (HSC) says its new 150tonne capacity SCX1500A-3 hydraulic crane, being unveiled at bauma, has features to enhance its sustainability, mobility, performance and safety. Said to be suitable for construction, material handling and civil engineering applications, the SCX1500A-3 has been manufactured to comply with Stage IIIB emission regulations. Equipped with a powerful new-generation 210kW Isuzu engine, the sustainability of the 150tonne x4.5m lifti
  • Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan to open 1st IRF Africa Regional Congress
    May 28, 2014
    Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan will deliver the opening address at the 1st International Road Federation Africa Regional Congress being held in Abuja on 4 June 2014. Dr Jonathan has been Nigeria's head of state since 2010, having previously served as federal vice president, as well as governor of the state of Bayelsa. Welcoming Dr Jonathan’s confirmation as opening address speaker, IRF president & CEO Patrick Sankey said, "President Jonathan's presence is an extraordinary honour for our industry. It