What does Driven Machinery Regulations say?

What does 'General Driven Machinery ? regulations say in terms of training an operator of lifting equipment – The Driven Machinery regulations stipulate that various procedures, channels and measures to be followed with regards to the training of an operator of lifting equipment. It is according to the terms of the Act that training should be conducted so that it is effective and it is certified.

According to the regulations, potential learners should meet certain standards to be acceptable for training. Before commencement of training or re-certification training, every learner shall provide the accredited provider with a declaration from the employer confirming the physical and psychological fitness of the learner to undergo the intended training.

Furthermore, an optometrist's certificate should be provided to approve that the learner has adequate day and night vision. However, a valid Professional Driver's Permit can be used alternatively in place of an optometrist certificate.

Potential learners shall wear the required PPE as prescribed by the employer under the General Safety Regulations 2 of the occupational health and safety. All entrants shall be required to hold at least a General Certificate and Training Certificate Grade 9.

The regulation states that, first time learner in the course of lifting machinery shall be trained for a minimum of 40 hours of which 50 per cent of it shall be devoted to practical training. So basically, the law instructs that training should be divided equally into practical and theory.

First time learners should be given maximum attention and thorough training hence; the regulations state that at least 1 facilitator should be assigned to 4 learners in theory training. This ensures that learners get maximum attention and their queries and question can easily be attended to unlike in a classroom with over 20 learners.

Operators coming for a re-certification course for certificates that expires within 90 days should be subjected to a theoretical training for a minimum of 4 hours training with special attention being given to safety. 1 hour practical training and assessment should be conducted on a one-on-one basis between the learner and the facilitator. Should the operator fail to meet the prescribed unit standard competency, further training should be arranged so that they meet the required outcome.

During practical or demonstration trainings, the regulations stipulate that the ratio of learners per machine should not exceed 4:1 and all equipment operator training sessions must be subject to direct supervision by the facilitator. Learners should get as much exposure to machinery during training as possible to as to increase their efficiency in training hence the need to have a limited number of learners per machinery.

The regulations stipulate that, the training provider shall provide lecture and practical training facilities and suitable audio-visual equipment as resources for training such as overhead projector, flip chart or video cassette recorder. Other required equipment to be provided by the training provider is lifting machinery which is in a good condition applicable to the code along with load chart and a load test.

After the completion of every training course, a certified training should issue its learners with a certificate of competency as proof that they have successfully passed the course and they are in a position to operate lifting equipment. However, the law indicates that learners that have not excelled well in the course may be afforded a further opportunity after on-site training before a further attempt is undertaken.

The above mentioned procedures should be followed by all training providers so as to ensure that their training is in accordance with the law. Training of lifting equipment operators comes with certain requirements which should be met and abided to.