The UK’s Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) that administers licences for operators of construction machinery has added two new categories: Appointed Person (lifting operations) and Crane Supervisor (lifting operations).
The CPCS scheme is part of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme that aims to provide qualifications for the UK’s entire construction industry workforce. It is a voluntary scheme but most construction companies do not allow operators on their sites without a CPCS card or equivalent.
An appointed person is defined as the person who plans the lifting operation before the crane is used, and compiles a risk assessment and method statement. A crane supervisor is defined as the person who oversees the crane operations and ensures they comply with the risk assessment and method statement. The two may be the same person, but not necessarily.
