CSCS Telescopic Handler study plan

CSCS Telescopic Handler · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Load Handling, Stability, Capacity Charts and Attachments & Health, Safety and Environmental Regulations and Responsibilities

Explain how the load moment/radius relationship changes capacity, using the principle of moments rather than memorised numbers
Identify every section of a capacity chart (boom length, radius, height, attachment, outrigger configuration) and state what each axis controls
Calculate derated capacity for at least five worked scenarios involving attachment changes, tyre type or outrigger use
List the employer and operator duties that sit under health, safety and environmental law for lifting equipment
Define the terms rated capacity, SWL, WLL and test/insurance inspection interval and distinguish them

A one-page annotated capacity-chart worksheet with five fully worked derating calculations and the correct answer justified for each

Week 2

Match at least six attachment types to their typical tasks and their effect on rated capacity
Describe the pre-use inspection sequence for tyres, hydraulic hoses, boom wear pads, load-moment indicator and level indicator
Distinguish pre-use checks, interim inspections and thorough examinations by who performs them and how often
Diagnose five fault scenarios and state whether each is a stop-work defect or a monitor-and-report item
Explain how to record and report defects so the machine is not returned to service prematurely

A completed 25-item pre-use inspection checklist with a written defect decision (stop / report / continue) recorded against each item

Week 3

Trace the hydraulic and boom-extension systems and explain how each contributes to stability
Explain how the load-moment indicator, inclinometer and bubble level interact and what to do when an alarm sounds
Identify each cab control and instrument and state its function without reference notes
Describe the safe sequence for raising, extending, lowering and retracting a boom under load
Explain how frame levelling and outrigger deployment change the stability envelope

A labelled cab-layout diagram (drawn from memory) with a written function and misuse warning for every control and instrument shown

Week 4

Describe the travel positions for boom, attachment and carriage before moving off
Explain gradient limits, side-slope risks and the correct technique for travelling on inclines loaded and unloaded
Interpret the site safety sign categories and state the required response to each
Describe the hand signals used to direct plant and explain the responsibilities of the signaller and the operator receiving signals
Plan a safe route across a site with overhead lines, soft ground, pedestrian routes and blind corners

A written route plan for a described site layout, naming hazards, control measures and the signals that would be used at each stage

Week 5

Select and inspect slings and lifting accessories for a given load, rejecting damaged items with stated reasons
Calculate sling loading for two-leg and four-leg lifts at given angles, including the effect of the angle on tension
Describe correct load securement and the checks made before and during a lift
State the correct PPE for telescopic handler operation and the occupational-health risks of noise, vibration, dust and manual handling
Explain the hierarchy of control as applied to a lifting task

A slinging plan for three loads (balanced, offset and multi-leg) showing accessory selection, tension calculations and rejection criteria applied

Week 6

Summarise the permit-to-work, exclusion-zone and segregation requirements that apply to lifting operations on site
Explain environmental controls for fuel handling, spill response and waste segregation on a plant site
Describe the reporting chain and record-keeping duties for incidents, near misses and defects
Answer 30 mixed questions across the three domains and score at least 80%

A scored 30-question mixed mock with every wrong answer rewritten as a corrected fact statement

Week 7

Rehearse the full lift cycle verbally from pre-start checks to load set-down, stating the check at each stage
Answer 40 mixed questions across controls, travelling and lifting operations and score at least 80%
Identify and correct the three weakest sub-topics flagged by the mock
Explain what to do when a lift goes outside the plan, including the decision to stop

A written lift plan for one complex scenario plus a scored 40-question mock with a remediation note for each missed item

Week 8

Complete two full-length timed mocks covering all eight domains and score at least 85% on the second
Re-derive capacity-chart calculations and pre-use defect decisions under time pressure
Recite the legal duties and inspection intervals without notes
Review every remaining flagged weak area and close it out

Two timed full-length mock scores recorded, with the second at or above 85% and a signed-off list of closed weak areas

Week 2: Can complete the pre-use inspection checklist from memory with correct stop/report decisions on at least 90% of items

Week 4: Scores at least 75% on an unscored 25-question set drawn from domains 4, 5 and 6

Week 6: Scores at least 80% on the 30-question mixed mock across domains 1, 2 and 3

Week 8: Scores at least 85% on a full-length timed mock covering all eight domains