UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam study guide
UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CPCS Telehandler theory exam is the knowledge assessment that sits alongside the practical test for the CPCS plant operations category covering telehandlers (often referenced as category A17). It is aimed at operators who need to demonstrate to an employer or site that they understand how a telehandler should be used safely, and at experienced operators renewing or adding a category to an existing CPCS card. The UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam study guide has 8 sections and about 2,689 words.
01Health, Safety and Environmental Legislation, Regulations and Codes of Practice
Telehandler operators work within a layered legal framework. At the top sits the Health and Safety at Work etc.
344 words, about 2 min02Telehandler Components, Machine Configuration and Attachments
A telehandler is a rough-terrain, variable-reach machine. Its core components are the chassis, the telescopic boom (usually two or three sections extended by hydraulic rams), the attachment carriage or quick-hitch at the boom head, stabilisers or levelling jacks on many models, and a rear-axle or frame-levelling system.
355 words, about 2 min03Pre-Use Checks, Routine Maintenance and Defect Reporting
Pre-use checks are a legal duty under PUWER and an operator's first line of defence. A structured walk-round check before each shift should cover fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel, AdBlue where fitted), leaks under the machine, tyre condition and pressure, wheel nuts, boom wear pads and rams for damage or weeping seals, the attachment and quick-hitch, seat belt and operator restraint, lights, beacons, horn, mirrors, the RCI and its calibration, the load chart in place and legible, fire extinguisher, and the condition of the forks (heel wear, cracks, bent tines).
337 words, about 2 min04Stability, Load Charts, Safe Working Loads and Load-Handling Principles
A telehandler's stability is governed by its centre of gravity and the machine's stability triangle or longitudinal/transverse stability limits. The load chart is the authoritative source: it gives the rated capacity at each combination of boom length (or radius/reach) and boom angle or height, for a defined configuration (on wheels or on stabilisers, with a specified attachment).
366 words, about 2 min05Site Transport, Manoeuvring, Travelling and Working on Inclines and Uneven Ground
Travelling safely on site requires planning the route, knowing the ground conditions and understanding the machine's limits. Before moving, the operator should check the route for overhead obstructions, soft ground, excavations, services, pedestrians and other vehicles, and should know the site traffic management plan.
311 words, about 2 min06Lifting, Placing, Loading and Unloading Operations
Safe lifting starts with planning: know the load's weight, its centre of gravity, the lifting points and the attachment required, and check the load chart for the configuration. The machine must be level and on firm ground, stabilisers deployed if the chart requires, and the area around and beneath the load clear of people.
350 words, about 2 min07Hazards, Overhead Lines, Exclusion Zones and Safe Systems of Work
Telehandler hazards fall into categories: machine (overturning, boom collapse, hydraulic failure), load (falling, shifting, overloading), environment (overhead power lines, underground services, soft ground, weather, dust, noise) and people (struck by machine or load, pedestrians in the work area). The most serious single hazard is often overhead power lines: contact can cause fatal electric shock even without direct touch, through arcing.
296 words, about 1 min08Emergency Procedures, Incident Reporting and Environmental Controls
Emergency procedures should be understood before an incident occurs. If the machine becomes unstable or a load shifts, the operator should lower the load if possible, stop, and follow the site's emergency plan; if a machine contacts an overhead line, the operator should stay in the cab and warn others away, and only leave if there is a fire risk, jumping clear and shuffling away without touching the machine and ground at the same time.
330 words, about 2 min