Industry requested that OPITO develop a robust and auditable minimum standard for training and competence assessment for the Banksman & Slinger role.
Although the Banksman skill requirement differs from that of the Slinger; the two roles are normally combined in the workplace. The Banksman role is primarily to relay instructions to the crane operator during lifting activities, and the Slinger role is to prepare and ‘sling’ loads for lifting, and release the loads at their destination.
The Banksman & Slinger’s route to competence certification and re-assessment is comprised of four key stages. The four key stages are:
1
The Initial Training Programme
Delegates successfully completing the Initial Training Programme will be awarded an OPITO Stage 1 certificate; this entitles the delegate to progress to Stage 2: supervised workplace experience.
2
Supervised workplace experience
Stage 2 specifies the series of supervised tasks which the delegate will be required to complete in order to gain relevant experience in the workplace. The Delegate must complete a log book record of the supervised tasks
3
The formal assessment of the candidate
Stage 3 specifies the assessment process and criteria for the candidate to demonstrate competence in the Banksman & Slinger role. Successful candidates will be awarded an OPITO certificate of competence. The Certificate is valid for 2 years.
4
Re-assessment of competence
Stage 4 specifies the re-assessment criteria for Banksman & Slingers, who wish to maintain their OPITO competence certification, Successful candidates will be awarded an OPITO certificate of competence. The Certificate is valid for 2 years.
