CSCS Telescopic Handler cheat sheet

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by their work.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require work equipment to be suitable, maintained in safe condition, and used only by trained and competent persons.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require lifting equipment to be strong and stable, marked with safe working load, and inspected at statutory intervals (6 months for lifting accessories and equipment lifting people; 12 months for other lifting equipment).

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require risk assessments, competent persons appointed, and cooperation between employers sharing a workplace.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require reporting of specified incidents, including overturning of lift trucks, to the enforcing authority.

Environmental duties include preventing pollution (e.g., fuel spill kits), segregating waste, and controlling noise and dust under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and local permits.

Operators must not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare (Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 8).

Site-specific rules (speed limits, exclusion zones, permit-to-work systems) are enforceable under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as part of the employer’s safe system of work.

Blue circular signs indicate mandatory actions (e.g., wear PPE); red circular signs indicate prohibitions; yellow triangular signs indicate warnings; green rectangular signs indicate safe conditions or first aid.

Hand signals for lifting operations must be agreed before work starts and only one designated signaller should give signals to the operator.

Site access routes for plant must be segregated from pedestrian routes where reasonably practicable; if segregation is not possible, use barriers, warning signs and controlled crossing points.

A banksman (signaller) must be used when the operator’s view is obstructed, when reversing, or when manoeuvring in confined areas.

Exclusion zones under suspended loads must be maintained; no person should stand or pass beneath a raised load.

Site speed limits and one-way systems must be observed; stop at blind corners and sound the horn where required by site rules.

Access to the operating position must be safe: use designated steps and handholds, maintain three points of contact, and do not carry loads while climbing.

PPE must be provided free of charge by the employer where risks cannot be controlled by other means (Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, as amended 2022).

Head protection (hard hat) must be worn where there is a risk of falling objects or head impact; it must be compatible with other PPE and replaced after significant impact.

High-visibility clothing to the appropriate class (e.g., EN ISO 20471) must be worn on site, especially where plant is operating.

Safety footwear with toe protection and penetration-resistant soles is required on construction sites; check for electrical hazard protection if working near power lines.

Hearing protection must be worn when noise exposure exceeds 85 dB(A) (hearing protection zone); reduce exposure below 80 dB(A) where practicable.

Hand-arm vibration exposure from prolonged use of hand-held tools or vibrating machinery must be managed under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (exposure action value 2.5 m/s² A(8); limit value 5 m/s² A(8)).

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be face-fit tested and worn where dust (e.g., silica) or fumes cannot be controlled by engineering measures.

Occupational health includes fatigue management: operators must not operate machinery while unfit through fatigue, alcohol, drugs or medication that impairs alertness.

Pre-use checks must be carried out at the start of each shift and after any incident or change of operator; record the results and report defects immediately.

Check engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel and AdBlue levels; top up only when the machine is on level ground and the engine is off (unless otherwise specified).

Inspect tyres for correct pressure, cuts, bulges and wheel nut tightness; check for embedded objects and sidewall damage.

Test all controls (boom, bucket, steering, brakes, horn, lights, beacon) for correct function before moving the machine.

Inspect lifting accessories (slings, shackles, chains) for damage, missing tags and SWL marking; remove defective items from service.

Check the load chart is present, legible and matches the machine configuration (boom extension, attachments, outriggers).

Inspect hydraulic hoses and cylinders for leaks, chafing and damage; never search for leaks with hands-use a piece of cardboard or wood.

Maintenance and repairs must be carried out by competent persons; isolate and lock off energy sources before maintenance (PUWER).

The load moment indicator (LMI) or rated capacity indicator provides warnings when approaching safe working load; it must be calibrated and functional.

The load chart displays the maximum safe working load for each boom length, angle and attachment; it must be consulted before every lift.

Stabilisers (outriggers) must be fully extended and deployed on firm level ground before lifting near the machine’s capacity limits.

The boom telescope control extends or retracts the boom; never extend the boom while the machine is travelling unless the load chart permits it.

The frame levelling system (if fitted) must be used to level the machine on uneven ground; check the level indicator before lifting.

Instruments include hour meter, fuel gauge, temperature gauges, warning lights and audible alarms; investigate any warning before continuing work.

The parking brake must be applied and the transmission in neutral (or park) before leaving the operator’s seat.

Operating principles: the machine’s stability is reduced as boom length and angle increase; always keep the load close to the machine and within the load chart limits.

The safe working load (SWL) is the maximum load the machine may lift in a given configuration; it must never be exceeded.

Stability is affected by load weight, boom length, boom angle, tyre pressure, ground conditions and wind; the load chart accounts for these factors.

Attachments (e.g., buckets, forks, jibs) have their own rated capacities; the capacity of the machine with the attachment fitted must be used.

Loads must be secured to the attachment (e.g., pallet forks) and must not exceed the attachment’s rated capacity.

When using a jib or hook, the load must be free to swing and the machine must be positioned to avoid side loading.

The load centre must be kept as close to the machine as possible; the load chart is based on a specific load centre distance.

Never lift a load with the boom over the side of the machine unless the load chart specifically permits it; side loading can cause tipping.

Check ground conditions: soft ground, slopes, trenches and excavations can reduce stability; use mats or outriggers as required.

Travel with the boom lowered and retracted, load close to the ground (typically 200–300 mm), and the machine in a stable configuration.

Observe site speed limits; reduce speed on uneven ground, slopes, and near pedestrians.

When travelling on slopes, keep the load uphill and the boom lowered; avoid traversing across slopes where possible.

Use a banksman when reversing or when visibility is restricted; keep mirrors and cameras clean and adjusted.

Sound the horn before moving off and at blind corners; ensure the beacon is operating.

Maintain safe distances from overhead power lines (e.g., 6 m for lines up to 66 kV, 10 m for higher voltages in the UK) unless isolated and confirmed by the electricity supplier.

Do not carry passengers unless a designated passenger seat is fitted and the machine is designed for it.

Park on firm level ground, apply the parking brake, lower the boom and remove the key; chock wheels if on a slope.

A lifting plan must be prepared by a competent person for complex or repetitive lifts; it includes load weight, rigging, personnel and contingency.

The load weight must be known or calculated; never guess. Use the load chart to confirm the lift is within capacity.

Slinging methods include direct lift, choker hitch, basket hitch and vertical hitch; each has a different efficiency factor (e.g., choker reduces capacity).

Lifting accessories must be marked with their SWL and inspected before use; damaged slings must be removed from service.

Loads must be balanced and secured to prevent slipping or falling; use tag lines to control rotation where necessary.

The signaller must be in clear view of the operator; if not, use radio communication with agreed signals.

Never allow anyone to stand or pass under a suspended load; keep the load as low as possible while moving.

After lifting, lower the load slowly and steadily; avoid shock loading and sudden movements that can cause dynamic forces to exceed the SWL.