National Code of Practice - Operator Training & …

1 National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 1 National code of Practice Operator Training & Assessment Scheme For operators of tractors and machinery in / on: Amenity Horticulture Artificial Surfaces Golf Course Landscape Industries Sports Turf National code of Practice and guidance for operators of tractors ad machinery in / on the amenity horticultural, artificial surfaces, golf courses and sports turf industries. Developed in consultation with the Health & Safety Executive National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 2 National code of Practice Operator Training & Assessment Scheme National code of Practice and guidance for operators of tractors and machinery in / on the, amenity horticultural, artificial surfaces, golf courses, landscape and sports turf industries. The range of tractors and machinery covered by the National code of Practice are used in / on the following areas: Amenity Horticulture Artificial Surfaces Golf Course Landscape Industries Sports Turf Acknowledgements The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) gratefully acknowledges the help given by the following organisations in the development of this National code of Practice .

2 BIGGA Brophy GTC Health & Safety Executive HSS Groundcare IOG John Deere Ltd Lantra Awards Lantra NTO National Proficiency Test Council Swan Plant Hire Services Textron Turf Products National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 3 Preface Every year there are about 3000 reportable injuries involving tractors and machinery. These injuries, some fatal, create suffering for those involved and their dependants. They also involve a heavy cost on the employer s business. Even an incident not involving injury may result in costly damage buildings, fittings and goods. Tractor and machine accidents are frequently associated with lack of suitable and sufficient Operator * Training . Such Training is an essential first step in reducing damage and injury. *For the purpose of this document an Operator is anyone who operates a tractor and/or machine, even as a secondary or occasional part of their job, and is not limited to people specifically designated as tractor and machine operators The Training of tractor and machine operators may be divided into two stages: Section 1 Installation / Familiarisation Training Instruction on controls and operation of tractors and machinery.

3 (handover / installation procedure) Section 2 Operator Training Detailed Training on the use of tractors and machinery. Instruction is provided by qualified people ( Operator Training ) These stages can be taken quite separately, or they may be combined or integrated depending on the role of the Operator . In either case, it is essential that each stage be covered fully, with due regard to the experience, if any, of the trainees and the type or types of tractor or machine they will be expected to operate. Aim of the National code of Practice The aim of the National code of Practice is to ensure that operators of tractors and machinery are competent to work with tractors and machinery in whatever area of work is undertaken within the boundaries of the manufactures handbook. There are three levels of Training and assessment provision: 1) Installation / Familiarisation Training 2) Integrated Training and Assessment 3) Separate Training and code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 41) Installation / Familiarisation Training This procedure is to be followed when any type of machine is delivered to a new owner.

4 A range of basic instructions will be issued when the supplying company installs the machine The basic safe operation of a machine will be highlighted to the Operator . It is recommended that Section 3 Operator Training be undertaken by all before the machine is installed. The Installation / Familiarisation Course is a non assessed course. The person handing the machine should have relevant knowledge of the machine and its operation, attended a suppliers Training course on the technical detail of the product. No formal Training qualifications are required. 2) Operator Training Integrated Training & Assessment This should be undertaken by operators who regularly use and operate tractors and machinery for work purposes. This Training should be taken by all operators of all machines. The installation / familiarisation Training will account for the individual types of machines each Operator is using on a daily basis.

5 Integrated Training & Assessment is when an Operator is trained and assessment by the same person during a Training event. Any instruction given should be completed by persons who have the relevant experience and qualifications to deliver, train and assess operators on the relevant tractor or machine. 3) Operator Training Separate Training & Assessment This should be undertaken by operators who regularly use and operate tractors and machinery for work purposes. In this instance the Training course and assessment is carried out separately at different times and by different people. One person cannot train and assess the same Operator . Separate assessment is taken once an Operator is satisfied that the assessment criteria can be fulfilled. A separate Training course maybe undertaken before the assessment. The National Proficiency Test Council provide assessment mechanisms for a wide range of machinery used in the , amenity horticultural, artificial surfaces, golf courses and sports turf industries.

6 For all sections: To comply with their duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers must ensure that all operators they employ, both new and existing, are adequately trained and, when necessary, provide for their additional or refresher Training . National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 5 Overview The National code of Practice (COP) and guidance relate to all types of Tractors and Machines. Anyone driving a tractor or machine on the public highway must comply with the appropriate road traffic legislation. The COP and guidance have been agreed by the Health and Safety Executive following widespread consultation. They give practical advice to help employers meet their legal obligations under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 to ensure that all operators receive adequate Training for purposes of health and safety.

7 For convenience, any text from the Regulations is included in italic type. Example of the Record of Machine Familiarisation / Installation Training National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 6 Section 1 The code of Practice Tractor and Machine Operator Training National code of Practice Introduction 1. This National code of Practice (COP) relates to the provision of basic Training for tractor and machine operators. It has been produced in consultation with representatives of The British and Garden Machinery Association, Institute of Groundsmanship, Lantra NTO, HSE and National Proficiency Test Council, BIGGA, GTC. What is covered? 2. The COP covers Tractors and Machinery used in any public places, on or off road. The purpose of this coverage is to include all types of tractors and machinery having similar Training requirements and to which the advice can reasonably be applied.

8 Applicable Legislation Regulation 3. Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires that: 1) Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate Training for purposes of health and safety, including Training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken. 2) Every employer shall ensure that any of his employees who supervises or manages the use of work equipment has received adequate Training for purposes of health and safety, including Training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken. 3) Regulation 3 of PUWER 1998 extends the requirements of the Regulations to apply to the self employed and those who have control (to the extent that their control allows) of work equipment, people at work who use, supervise or manage the use of work equipment, or the way in which work equipment is used at work.

9 Obligation to provide basic Training 4. Employers should not allow anyone to operate, even on a very occasional basis, tractor or machines within the scope of this COP who have not satisfactorily completed basic Training and assessment as described in this COP, except for those undergoing such Training under adequate supervision or employed by a dealer or service department involved in the maintenance of tractors and machinery. They should have completed at least the installation Training course. National code of Practice - Operator Training and assessment scheme 7 Selection of instructors 5. When arranging for Training , employers should satisfy themselves that it is in accordance with this COP. Operator Training should only be carried out by instructors who have themselves undergone appropriate Training in instructional techniques and skills assessment. They should give instruction only on the types of tractors and machinery for which they have been trained and successfully assessed as operators.

10 Instructors also need sufficient industrial experience to enable them to put their instruction in context and an adequate knowledge of the working environment in which the trainee will be expected to operate. Membership of the Lantra Professional Register or other such registers provides adequate recognition of Training delivery methods. Training area and facilities 6. Operator , Installation or specialist Training may be given at a suitable Training centre or venue, or on an employer s premises. Where practicable, Training areas should be sheltered from adverse weather conditions. 7. Operator Training needs to be carried out off the job. Even when conducted on an employer s premises this means that the instructor and trainees, together with the tractors and machinery, should be wholly concerned with Training , kept away from normal commercial operations, and not be diverted to other activities while Training is in progress.