Description

About the Course

Compact cranes, often called mini cranes or spider cranes, can fit through standard doorways and set up in tight spaces where a full-size crane could never reach. They’re used for glazing, steel erection, plant room installations and lifting materials inside buildings. But their small footprint means setup, ground conditions and the lift plan all have to be right every time. The NPORS N140 Compact Crane course gives you the training, testing and recognised card you need to operate one safely and legally.

Whether you’re brand new to compact cranes or you’ve been operating one for years, we have a route for you. You can choose a full 5-day novice course, a refresher course or an experienced worker test.

Key Course Information

• Accreditation: NPORS
• Duration:
  • Novice Course: 5 days
  • Experienced Worker Test: 1 day
• Refresher Course: Available upon request with proof of previous certification
• Card Validity:
  • NPORS Traditional: 5 years
  • NPORS Red Trained Operator: 2 years
• Location: Nationwide

Who Is This Course For?

This course is built for anyone who operates, or needs to operate, a compact or mini crane in construction, glazing, steel erection, building services or facilities maintenance. It’s particularly well suited to:

• New operators looking to get their first compact crane card
• Experienced operators who need a recognised card for site or workplace compliance
• Glaziers, steel erectors, cladders and M&E installers who lift materials in confined spaces
• Employers who need their team certified to meet client or insurer requirements

Entry Requirements

• A good working understanding of spoken and written English
• For the NPORS Red Trained Operator Card with the CSCS logo only: the CITB Operatives Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Touchscreen Test, passed within the last 2 years. If you haven’t taken it yet, we can help you book it.

What You Will Learn

The course covers everything from pre-use checks and setting up an exclusion zone to lifting safely and shutting down, so you can operate confidently from the start of your shift to the end. By the end, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the risks of the industry and your responsibilities as an operator
• Use the manufacturer’s handbook for the compact crane you’re operating
• Identify the main components and key controls and explain what they do
• Set up an exclusion zone in line with the lift plan and risk assessment
• Select and maintain the right PPE for compact crane work
• Carry out pre-use and running checks in line with manufacturer and legal requirements
• Prepare the compact crane for use and operate it safely and efficiently
• Understand the environmental considerations of compact crane work
• Carry out end-of-work and shutdown procedures

How You’re Assessed

Novice route (5 days): Days 1–4 cover classroom theory and hands-on practical training on a compact crane. On day 5, you’ll sit the NPORS theory and practical tests. With a maximum of 3 candidates per instructor, you’ll get plenty of time on the machine.

Experienced worker route (1 day): This route is for operators with substantial, recent compact crane experience. You’ll go straight to the NPORS theory and practical tests with no training element, so you’ll need to be confident operating without support.

What Card Will I Get?

Pass both tests and you’ll receive one of the following:

• NPORS Traditional Card: valid for 5 years. No HS&E touchscreen test needed.
• NPORS Red Trained Operator Card (CSCS logo): valid for 2 years. Only available if you’ve passed the CITB Operatives HS&E touchscreen test within the last 2 years.

Both cards cover the N140 Compact Crane category.

Renewing and Upgrading Your Card

• Traditional Card: no NVQ is required. After 5 years, you’ll retake the test to renew or submit a renewal form to NPORS.
• Red Trained Operator Card: this card is valid for 2 years and can’t be renewed like-for-like. You’ll need to complete the Level 2 NVQ in Plant Operations – Compact Crane and hold an operatives touchscreen test passed within the last 2 years to upgrade to the Blue card, so it’s worth starting early.
• Blue Competent Operator Card: valid for 5 years. To renew, you’ll need to complete a logbook showing your operating experience, hold a valid operatives touchscreen test completed within the last 2 years and submit a renewal form every 5 years.

Download Course Information

Download the full NPORS N140 Compact Crane course PDF to save or share with your employer.

Download Course PDF

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