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Sophie.J  
#1 Posted : 31 July 2019 15:57:11(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Sophie.J

I would welcome some clarification on the roles of Banksman / Vehicle/Plant Marshaller and Slinger/Signaller?

I have contacted CITB and they have advised to contact CPCS - which i have done. But am wondering if anyone else can share their expertise?

I understand that to control vehicles on site we need a Vehicle/Plant Marshaller, but can this role also control excavators reversing which i understand is the role of Banksman? And am i correct in saying the Slinger/Signaller controls the lifting operations on site?

Thanks in advance.

Sophie

RayRapp  
#2 Posted : 01 August 2019 07:46:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Sophie, I think some of the confusion arises from the terms being used interchangebly. For example, you could be a Vehicle Marshal or a Banksman. For plant they tend to relate to a Banksman/Slinger/Signaller.

Perhaps someone with a more detailed knowledge than me can explain better. 

mihai_qa  
#3 Posted : 01 August 2019 07:59:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
mihai_qa

Hi,

Having worked in multicultural environments, I shared your confusion as the US boys used a different terminology to what I was used to (UK).

Banksman: The dude directing vehicle movements on site/plant/traffic. Sometimes also used as a flagsman but not universally.

Slinger: The guy that's appropriately trained in lifting (including signs-Boom up, down, extend, etc). Depending on the training, he's also usually the one checking the slings/hooks/lifting accesories (at least for that particular lift, not as third party inspection) and follows the Lift plan (pre-lift test, etc).

Hope that makes sense.

Roundtuit  
#4 Posted : 01 August 2019 08:50:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

As far as I am aware all of these activities are what is termed "Signalman" in Schedule 1 of The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l64.htm 

The difference will be in awareness of how to control the risks associated with the various equipment (blind spot, traverse, manouvering distances, braking/stopping distances...)

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
mihai_qa on 01/08/2019(UTC), mihai_qa on 01/08/2019(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#5 Posted : 01 August 2019 08:50:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

As far as I am aware all of these activities are what is termed "Signalman" in Schedule 1 of The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l64.htm 

The difference will be in awareness of how to control the risks associated with the various equipment (blind spot, traverse, manouvering distances, braking/stopping distances...)

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
mihai_qa on 01/08/2019(UTC), mihai_qa on 01/08/2019(UTC)
Sophie.J  
#6 Posted : 01 August 2019 09:19:06(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Sophie.J

Thank you - so the Banksman and Traffic Marshal can be deemed the same.

And slinger/signaller is for lifting operations.

Thanks for the link to Safety Signs & Signals - but am confused with how this is related to the roles needing clarification.

hilary  
#7 Posted : 01 August 2019 09:36:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hilary

I understand that:

Banksman/Signaller are the same thing.  The person who gives the signals or signs to ensure that any lifting operations are managed with precision placement.  This is normally done by a process of hand signals and is quite a skilled job.

Slinger - the person who is actually doing the lift, following the hand signal instructions from the banksman/signaller to ensure precision placement.  The slinger will know how to lift the loads using the correct equipment and how to identify and check all that equipment prior to work.

This is my understanding for what it's worth anyway.

thanks 1 user thanked hilary for this useful post.
mihai_qa on 01/08/2019(UTC)
mihai_qa  
#8 Posted : 01 August 2019 09:39:43(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
mihai_qa

Pages 42-43 of the guidance go through the generally accepted hand signals used both by banksmen and slingers. In this I64 they're kind of lumped together as "signalmen" which adds additional confusion.

Practically, a banksman will use less signs than a slinger+operator combo. LEEA have some great courses (i'm not affiliated with them in any way) and they might be able to assist with the appointed person for lifting (slingers, supervisors, etc).

If you work in the UK I would stick to the HSE's guidance and terminology. On site, please make sure your banksman doesn't direct lifting operations (that's a whole other animal in my book). I would go through I64 in detail to ensure you cover all aspects. 

You haven't mentioned, is this for a RA as part of control measures? 

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