NFDC unveils high-reach excavator training course

World’s first training course for operators of high-reach, demolition-specification excavators

THE National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), the voice of the UK demolition industry, has developed the world’s first training course for operators of the increasingly popular high-reach, demolition-specification excavators.

Developed in conjunction with the National Demolition Training Group, the new course builds upon the leadership shown by the NFDC when it introduced its High Reach Guidance Notes document around five years ago (a document that is currently being revised).

According to NFDC chief executive Howard Button, the new course helps plug an obvious gap in demolition training provision. ‘Twenty years ago, these machines were virtually unheard of, and even 10 years ago they had something of a novelty value. But they are almost ubiquitous on UK demolition sites today, and training has failed to keep pace with their growing popularity,’ he said.

‘We have been mindful for some time that, in the wrong hands, these highly specialized machines could be extremely dangerous. We sought to address this at a corporate level with the guidance notes, and we are now addressing this from the ground up with the operator’s training course.’

Open to demolition plant operatives holding an A65B CPCS card for excavators with a working height up to 15m, the new three-day course is designed to introduce candidates to additional health, safety and legislation required when operating a demolition-adapted high-reach excavator at working heights of up to 30m.

The course indentifies methodology and additional structural awareness required when dismantling differing structures. It also covers specific machine controls and maintenance requirements based on an array of manufacturers’ operating manuals. Candidates will also visit a manufacturers’ premises where they will have the opportunity to operate the machine in a controlled environment.

The inaugural course is scheduled to run from 3–5 April 2012 and will be open to a maximum of eight candidates, but further courses will be available in the following months.

‘This course has been a long time in development because we wanted to make sure that it could keep up with the rapid changes taking place in this specific equipment field,’ said Mr Button. ‘We are satisfied that the new course will provide an experienced demolition plant operator with an excellent introduction to machines with working heights from 15m to 30m, making them safer and more productive in the process.’

For further information contact Howard Button at the NFDC on tel: (01442) 217144; or via email using the contact form below.