The objective of this page is to provide instructors and interested parties with information, guidance and standards that will assist them in the setting up of there own training courses and programs and  in the testing and certification of their trainees.

Under Section 2 of The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a legal responsibility to provide adequate information, training, instruction and supervision to all employees. This duty includes the training of machine operators and their supervisors.

The following information contains general points for consideration when we are preparing courses, instructor performance standards when presenting courses and lessons and general information on testing and certification.

Instructor Qualifications
Instructors must be trained in instructional techniques and methods, and in the assessment and testing of operators. In addition they must be experienced, trained, tested and certificated operators on the equipment on which they are required to give instruction and must hold an ITSSAR instructors accreditation.
It follows that no matter how efficient an instructor may be in instructional techniques, the safety and effectiveness of any instruction given to trainee operators is equally dependent upon the operating skill and job safety knowledge of the instructor for the particular equipment involved and the environment in which it will be used.
Safety Awareness Training
This is an essential part of operator training and must be conducted by an ITSSAR accredited Training Organisation and preferably prior to any practical skills training. Operator certification will be issued by ITSSAR only when satisfactory proof of both Safety Awareness Training Assessment and Practical Skills Assessment has been established.
Stages of Operator Training
It is essential when training operators that various stages are included, these are :
Basic Training 
The basic skills and job/safety knowledge required for the safe and efficient operation
of the particular equipment type.
Specific Job Knowledge
 of the workplace and experience Training of any special needs, applications and attachments. etc.
Familiarisation
 Actual operation on the job under direct/close Training supervision.
1. Basic Training - must be given by a qualified instructor and should always take place in an area set aside specifically for training purposes.
2. Specific Job Training - may, where practicable be combined or integrated with basic training if required, particularly in the case of experienced but `non trained' operators.
3. Familiarisation Training - should take place following basic and specific job training, on-the-job under actual working conditions, this training may be given by the operator's direct supervisor.
Safety awareness Training- should be given by a qualified instructor and preferably prior to any practical skill training, however this is not mandatory.
Other training- may be given in addition to the above where necessary and these include
Conversion Training May be given to operators following basic/specific job training where conversion from one type of equipment to another is required i.e. 180°/shovel loader to 360° and shovel.
Refresher Training Periodic refresher training from time to time is recommended so as to identity any bad operating practices and to help maintain safe systems of work and training standards.
Limited Application Where a particular equipment is used only in a static location and for a single task.
It is also essential that where new applications, attachments or equipments are involved further training should be given to familiarize operators with these additions or new functions.

Instructor : Delegate : Machine Ratio
A maximum of three delegates per instructor to one machine is normally recommended for practical training purposes. However this ratio may vary according to the machine type. The ratio set in the various course programmes should not be exceeded.
Duration of Training
The duration of training will vary depending upon the following points :
a] The objectives to be covered during the course
b] The ratio of delegates to instructor to equipment
c] The previous experience and learning capability for each of the delegates
It is essential that in all cases sufficient time is permitted for the training objective for each stage to be achieved.
Training Area and Facilities
Basic training may be carried out on the employer's premises, at a suitable training centre or other suitable site. Wherever this may be, the area, the equipment and loads, the instructor and delegates must be entirely concerned with training and not involved with or directed to other duties whilst training is in progress.
The equipment used for training must be in a safe and mechanically sound condition and suitable for the operation/application that is to be covered. The manufacturer's handbook for that equipment should be available. A suitable area must be provided and marked accordingly, with access restricted solely to the instructor and delegates.
There must be appropriate facilities available for the simulation of the tasks required following the completion of the training e.g. loading of vehicles/hoppers, stockpiling, rough terrain, excavations, pallets and simulated loads etc., thus making the training realistic. Refuelling facilities need to be provided to cover these aspects of the training.
A room/office or other suitable accommodation should be available along with visual training aids, to facilitate the instruction and testing on the relevant job safety knowledge.
Content and Structure of Training
Training will be largely practical, with sufficient time allowed for the delegates to acquire and develop the necessary skills and knowledge.
Training should follow carefully prepared and devised programmes which ensure that each stage is presented in a logical sequence. The instructor should explain and demonstrate each stage, and after ensuring that each delegate fully understands what is required, should allow delegates to practice in turn until an acceptable degree of skill is acquired. Sufficient time should be allowed for the delegates to practice, thus developing both their skills and confidence. Delegates not practising on the equipment should be encouraged to observe and thus learn by observation.
It is essential that practice is closely and constantly monitored and that all faults be detected and rectified as soon as they occur using the delegate's powers of logical deduction.
Basic training should be concerned solely with one category of equipment; should the operator be required to operate additional categories then conversion training will be required.
Assessment and Testing
During training the instructor should make continuous assessment of each of the delegates progress to ensure that the required standards are being achieved.
Each delegate will be required to pass a practical skills test and theory [job safety knowledge] test, to ensure that the objectives have been attained.
Certification of Training Operators
On successful completion of the practical training on an equipment, the operator will be given an ITSSAR Equipment Pass Notification [EPN]. This EPN accompanied by a copy of a Safety Awareness Pass Notification will enable the operator to gain ITSSAR national accreditation and certification.
For training on a limited application, the EPN should be endorsed accordingly.
In the event of a failure the employer will be informed of the reasons for the failure and any remedial training that may be required.
All ITSSAR certificates issued will be valid for a period of 5 years after which applicants must attend a further course of Safety Awareness Training for renewal. Training Records
In addition to certification, employers may need to keep records of training which could contain the following details :
Company name and address
Name of training organisation [where applicable]
Employees full name, clock number, department etc
Type/duration and dates of training and testing
Instructor/examiner name and registered number
Machine type/model/capacity and attachments

* Note * HSE Inspectors or EHO Inspectors may require an employer to produce certificates and training records.
Written Authorisation to Operate
Employers should issue a written authorisation to operators and no operator should be permitted to use equipment unless such authorisation has been awarded.
Written authorisation should only be awarded to operators who have successfully completed all stages of training, and should only cover the equipment on which training has been given. The authorisation should identify the equipment, operating areas, special applications, date of authorisation and in addition to stating the operator's name it should also include the signature of the issuing person.
Potential Operators
Careful consideration must be given to the selection of potential operators; it is recommended that those chosen should be of a mature attitude, reliable and capable of doing the job in a safe and responsible manner. Selected potential operators should be of reasonable intelligence and have a suitable degree of physical and mental fitness. Medical advice should be sought where a potential operator may have a handicap or disability. Such advice may be obtained from the local Employment Medical Advisory Service [EMAS] office.

In cases where a new employee claims to have been previously trained, proof of such training must be provided, and positive steps taken to ensure that individuals are capable of operating the equipment safely within their new environment. In such cases it is advisable that new employees are given some form of training to familiarise them with the equipment type, operations and procedures.
Employers/employees are to ensure that they comply at all times with the relevant Road Traffic regulations regarding driving on public highways.
Age Limitations for Operating Mechanical Handling Equipment
The Construction [General Provisions] Regulations 1961, required under regulation 32, that operators are at least 18 years old unless they are undergoing training under direct supervision.
Some crane drivers [e.g. for mobile cranes] may need an appropriate current driving licence. Information can be obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre [DVLC] Swansea.
Other mobile plant [e.g. wheeled excavators] operators will need a current ordinary driving licence, if the equipment is to be used on the public highway and or where the public have access.