City & Guilds has launched two brand new qualifications for those who operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The Level 2 qualifications have been designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to operate the machines safely.
Employers can comply with their Health & Safety requirements by asking to see the City & Guilds skill card, which all learners receive on successful completion of the qualification.
Statistics from The Health and Safety Executive for 2010/11 show that transport (being run over or vehicle overturns) accounts for 26 per cent of the fatalities, and a number of these fatalities related to farming accidents involving ATVs, but they could quite easily happen in any working environment where ATVs are in operation.
Both the Level 2 award in Sit–Astride (Quad Bikes) and Level 2 Sit–In ATV Handling qualifications are practically assessed and the learner must answer one–to–one questions verbally with their assessor. The qualification covers pre–use checks, instrument and control recognition, safe driving and manoeuvring the vehicle on various types of terrain, including slopes.
City & Guilds has departed from its usual format of offering only independent assessment for ATV qualifications. For the fist time there is an integrated training and assessment version available for sit‐in ATVs.
“These qualifications have been designed to meet the needs of land–based industries,” the chief executive of Land Based Services, Jack Ward, said. “On completion of the training course learners are subject to a rigorous practical assessment, synonymous with City & Guilds’ robust quality assurance systems. This ensures that successful learners are competent and safe.”
For more information visit: www.nptc.org.uk.
