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 This
is a pass/fail course and covers the safety and operation of the
specified machine. There is a theory test (questions & answers)
and a practical test (tests the driver’s ability) to be completed
at the end of these courses.
In addition the candidate must also
have completed a CITB Health & Safety touch screen test prior
to starting the CPCS course.
Upon successfully passing this course
a CPCS RED Card, intermediate certificate and log book will be issued
(valid for 2 years). This is now the only card accepted on major
construction sites.
CPCS ( Construction Plant Competence
Scheme) is a card scheme to prove the skills of plant operators.
It is based on a combination of professional competence and health
and safety awareness. NB The scheme has changed since 1 August 2008.
CPCS is the largest and most highly
recognised card scheme for the plant industry.More than 200,000
individuals carry the card and it is required to be able to operate
most categories of plant on MCG (Major Contractors Group) and NCF
(National Contractors Federation) sites.
The Construction Plant Competence Scheme
(CPCS) operates as the standard setter for training and assessing
the competency of Plant Operators. CPCS is a subsidiary of the Construction
Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS).
The Major Contractors Group (MCG) and many other
employers now require that only operators holding a CPCS card will
be allowed on site for the following reasons:
- To make a positive contribution to raising safety
standards
- To promote the productive and efficient use of
Plant & equipment in response to the needs of the Construction
Sector & Allied Industries
Objectives of the CPCS
- To raise the standard of training for Plant Operators
through achievement of the Intermediate Certificate (IC)
- To promote competence via the NVQ framework in
Plant Machinery Operations
- To reduce accident rates involving plant and
associated equipment
CPCS Plant & Operator Cards
The scheme identifies all Plant operators who achieve the required
level of training or competency by issuing two types of card.
- RED card for Trained Operators
- BLUE card – Competent Operator –
Full NVQ
An Operator is required to:
- Pass the Construction Skills Health and Safety
Test before any testing or training begins (if not passed in the
last 2 years)
- Carry out any training necessary to bring the
operator up to the standard required to pass the CPCS Technical
Test. This training will be tailored to meet individual requirements
and based on a CPCS training syllabus. The CPCS Technical Test
comprises a theory test (which incorporates questions relating
to underpinning knowledge, specific category and environment related
H&S, and Operators rights and responsibilities), supported
by a training syllabus, against which training can be tailored
to meet individual requirements
- the S/NVQ will only need to be passed once for
a family of categories (grouped into a unit), so if an individual
has an NVQ in a 360 excavator below 10 tonnes, if they pass a
further CPCS Technical Test on a 180 excavator below 5 tonnes
they will automatically be awarded the blue Competent Operator
card
- Pass CPCS Theory Test
- Pass CPCS Practical Test
This card is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
This type of cardholder is expected to upgrade to the Blue
card within 2 years.
Once you have gained a CPCS RED card you need to
achieve 300 operating hours on each category of plant, signed off
by a Supervisor/ Foreman, and also complete a NVQ Level 2 in Plant
& Machinery Operations within 2 years to upgrade to a CPCS BLUE
Card. The RED Card is not renewable.
This card is issued to Experienced Operatives who
have achieved an S/NVQ Level 2 in either Specialised Plant &
Machinery Operations or Plant Machinery Operations.
To obtain the BLUE CPCS card an Operator is required
to:
- Have held a CPCS Trained Operator (RED) card
for at least 6 months
- Provide verified evidence of 300 hours experience
using the plant within Construction or Allied Industries for each
category being applied for
- Have passed the CITB- Construction Skill Health
& Safety Test within the previous two years
- Pass the Construction Skills Health and Safety
Test before any testing begins (if not passed in last 2 years)
- Carry out any training necessary to bring the
operator up to the standard required to pass the CPCS Technical
Test. This training will be tailored to meet individual requirements
and based on a CPCS training syllabus
- Pass the CPCS Theory Test
- Pass the CPCS Practical Test
- Have the relevant S/NVQ, with the unit appropriate
to the category of plant required
This card is valid for 5 years and can be renewed
on expiry by requesting an "On Site" Assessment
Renewing a blue Competent Operator card
The renewal process:
- A CPCS Renewal Theory Test will need to be taken
to support all blue card renewals from 1st January 2009
- The CPCS Renewal Theory Test is a computer based
multiple choice test. It consists of a core test and bolt-ons
for each family of categories, delivered through a centre that
can offer independent invigilation
- From 1st January 2009 all Logbooks being presented
as meeting the 300 hour requirements will need to be independently
validated, and quality assured, by the centre completing the Renewal
Theory Test, and a Logbook pass result submitted to CPCS.
An Operator is required to:
- Pass the Construction Skills Health and Safety
Test (if not passed in the last 2 years)
- Record 300 operating hours in the logbook or
pass a CPCS Practical Test (delivered through a CPCS Test Centre
with a CPCS Tester, either at the centre or in the workplace as
a On Site Assessment)
- Pass a CPCS Renewal Theory Test from 1st January
2009 onwards
- Record all ongoing training including health and
safety refreshers or manufacturers' updates in the logbook
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