Description

About the Course

Reversing plant and vehicles are one of the biggest causes of serious accidents on UK construction sites. A plant machinery marshal (often called a banksman or vehicle marshal) guides machines and lorries safely around site, through tight gaps and into blind areas, keeping the operator and everyone on foot out of harm’s way. The NPORS N133 Plant Machinery Marshal course gives you the training, testing and recognised card you need to do the job safely and confidently.

Whether you’re brand new to marshalling plant or you’ve been doing it for years, we have a route for you. You can choose a full 1-day novice course, a refresher course or an experienced worker test.

Key Course Information

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

Who Is This Course For?

This course is built for anyone who guides, or needs to guide, plant and vehicles on construction, civil engineering, quarrying, waste or industrial sites. It’s particularly well suited to:

• New starters and labourers taking on marshalling duties for the first time
• Experienced banksmen who need a recognised card for site compliance
• Groundworkers and site operatives who guide dumpers, excavators and delivery lorries
• Employers who need their team certified to meet client or principal contractor requirements

Entry Requirements

• A good working understanding of spoken and written English

What You Will Learn

The course covers everything from hand signals and exclusion zones to guiding machines safely into blind areas, so you can marshal plant confidently from the start of your shift to the end. By the end, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the relevant legislation, the risks of the industry and your responsibilities as a plant machinery marshal
• Use the manufacturer’s handbook for the machine you’re guiding
• Understand signs and signals, approved hand signals and other forms of communication
• Select and maintain the right PPE for plant marshalling
• Carry out safety checks at the work area, including stop blocks and tipping areas
• Set up exclusion zones for loading and unloading
• Guide machinery forwards and in reverse safely and efficiently, including in confined spaces and blind areas
• Understand the environmental considerations of plant marshalling
• Carry out end-of-shift, shutdown and parking procedures

How You’re Assessed

Novice route (1 day): The day covers classroom theory and hands-on practical training in guiding plant and vehicles, and at the end of the day you’ll sit the NPORS theory and practical tests. With a maximum of 3 candidates per instructor, you’ll get plenty of hands-on time.

Experienced worker route (1 day): This route is for marshals with substantial, recent experience of guiding plant and vehicles. You’ll go straight to the NPORS theory and practical tests with no training element, so you’ll need to be confident working without support.

What Card Will I Get?

Pass both tests and you’ll receive:

• NPORS Traditional Card: valid for 5 years. No HS&E touchscreen test needed.

This card covers the N133 Plant Machinery Marshal category.

Renewing 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.

Download Course Information

Download the full NPORS N133 Plant Machinery Marshal course PDF to save or share with your employer.

Download Course PDF

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