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Posted By Ian G. Minty
The company that I work for has decided to go down the CPCS route for Appointed Persons undertaking lifting plans.
I am concerned at the low pass rate nationally for the exams (17%) nationally.
The criteria seems to be set vey high, for example on their method statement/lifting plan 47 out of 60 items are marked with an asterisk. If one of the asterisked items is wrong then this is classified as a fail.
Also, the exam criteria states that the site manager must select the correct type and size of crane utilising duty charts. Currently this is done on site using a team approach with the site manager and crane hire company utilising their combined experience and knowledge to select the correct type of crane for the job.
My question is - are the CPCS requirements asking too much of our appointed person's?
I appreciate that it is a complex area and the wrong crane selection could have disastrous consequences, but I think that to ask the site managers to have the additional knowledge of understanding all the duty charts just too much
Is anyone else having problems gaining CPCS accreditation for their staff?
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Posted By JayJay
Hi Ian.
I did an AP's course about 3 years ago but it was just to help me with my job as a Health & Safety Advisor, as far as i can remember if you have a contract lift on site i.e. crane/driver and appointed person then that AP is responsible for the job as soon as the crane goes onto your premises till the time it leaves site. He can delegate the crane supervisor for different tasks and does'nt have to even be on site for small lifts but overall responsibility remains with him.
If in doubt Ainscough will always give you good advice, Hope that helps you in anyway.
Cheers JJ
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Posted By John Caboche
Ian,
I have just taken this exam/assessment through the EWA route (which closes on the 1st October).
The exam is tough, but achievable, as long as your approach is methodical. It was recommended to me to undertake a day's revision prior to the exam and it paid dividends.
The CITB risk assessment/lifting plan pro forma actually covers most of the points required in the marking scheme on the lifting plan assessment part of the exam.
The exam itself is quite tough, based mostly on BS7121 parts 1 and 3 and LOLER, although these can be used as reference. The exam itself caused me more trouble than the lifting plan.
The time consuming part of the lifting plans are actually the scale drawings.
Most of the plan is based on judgement and common sense. And in all honesty if someone can't size a crane from a set of duty charts, they ought to think about whether they should be doing the AP's job.
I can recommend a good instructor for both the AP course (mandatory as part of the assessment after 01.10.06 - rather than a 2 day course in the previous 2 years) and the assesment if you e mail me.
Hope this helps
John
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Posted By alex mccreadie
Ian yes it has been made difficult for people to gain this qualification. There are many reasons for this because as you rightly mention this is a serious business,with sometimes fatal consequences if it goes wrong.
If you are fortunate enough to gain this qualification and wish to carry on hiring cranes on a CPA hire where that leaves you as the Appointed Person good luck. Many reputable companies are now doing a 2 day course Day 1 being a refresher leading up to the Exam's on day 2. CITB will give you a list of these companies if you ring them.
Whatever you decide again most reputable crane companies will still give the same service as they always did in carrying out a site visit so you and them can discuss and agree the crane size and type.
This qualification was partly introduced to steer people requiring crane hire to use the Contract Lift method. Sadly this was as much for Commercial Reasons as well as Safety.
Whatever you do good luck and shop around for a Traaining Provisdor as the costs for this training vary from £200 to £600.
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Posted By John Caboche
To add to what Alex has said about a 2 day course, you only have until the 1st October to do it this way and get a "blue" (experienced) card.
After this date it is a mandatory 4 day course and a "red" (trained)card - which you can only convert to a "blue" with an NVQ. The red expires after 3 years I believe - the blue is for life provided you meet certain criteria - logbook entries/touchscreen test.
You will also need to undertake the manager's touch screen test as well - but that's another story.....
You will have to move quickly.
John
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