CPCS 360 Excavator Mock Test

A 360° Excavator operator has been trained to use a large digging machine safely. The most common tasks these types of workers perform are as follows: lifting and clearing large amounts of soil and other materials, levelling the ground to facilitate building work, and digging foundations in the earth.

However, these machines are also used to deliver a range of other tasks on a construction site. Excavators are designed to rotate 360° and can comfortably function on various terrains. They have immense lifting power, and can be adjusted to accommodate various load weights. Furthermore, excavators can be used to demolish existing structures, regardless of their size or component materials. Therefore, excavator operators have a long list of duties and responsibilities. As a result, these individuals play a key role in supporting the operation of a construction site.

The CPCS

As an excavator is a piece of equipment used to perform heavy-duty activities, those who operate this machinery are classed as plant sector workers. The CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) is the regulatory body of the plant sector. It represents and supports plant workers, providing training materials and learning resources, producing testing criteria for plant operative assessments, and enforcing sector regulations and governmental legislation.

However, the CPCS is perhaps best known for the CPCS card program. Based on the industry-wide CSCS card programme, CPCS cards are used to identify different types of workers in the plant sector. The CPCS card you own provides a clear indication of your skill set, occupation, and level of practical experience. As these cards demonstrate that you’ve received the required training to perform your on-site role competently, most construction companies mandate that all employees possess an appropriate CSCS card (or CISRS – Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme/JIB-PMES – Joint Industry Board for Plumbing, Mechanical Engineering Services/CPCS card).

Once you’ve become a fully qualified 360° Excavator operator, you’ll be able to apply for a CPCS competent operator card (with category code A58 or A59 added – more on this to follow). Otherwise referred to as a ‘skilled worker’ card, membership to this specific scheme proves that you can compliantly use a 360° Excavator. Given the complexity of the role and safety risks involved in operating such a powerful piece of machinery, you’ll need to navigate some challenging training modules and assessments to reach fully qualified status. Therefore, please ensure you’re aware of the comprehensive nature of your potential training schedule before pursuing this career path.

Aiding your understanding

If you’re hoping to become a 360° Excavator operator, you’ll find this article extremely useful. We’ll discuss how to apply for a CPCS blue skilled worker card (category A58/59 added), the skills and competencies you’ll need to deliver this role, and the main training courses you’ll be expected to navigate. If you still have any questions about this role after reading this article, we would encourage you to speak with your tutor or trusted colleague.

What tasks does a 360° Excavator operator perform?

As already referenced, 360° Excavator operators have an extensive task list. As their work often involves digging-up land and moving heavy objects into position in preparation for construction activity, excavator users are particularly busy at the start of building projects. Nevertheless, they still have plenty of input throughout the entire programme of work.

We’ve compiled a list of the key tasks a 360° Excavator operator delivers on a regular basis:

• Review technical building plans and ensure ground is prepared accordingly.
• Use laser levelling equipment to ensure ground surfaces are even and ready for construction activity
• Conduct routine servicing of excavator equipment and perform maintenance where required.
• Dig foundations in preparation for building work
• Lift and transport heavy loads from one destination to another. This may involve lifting materials such as soil, bricks, or stone chippings.
• Demolish unwanted building structures, subsequently removing rubble and debris from site.
• Attaching ancillary equipment to the 360° excavator and deploying it accordingly. This includes swapping out the grab/claw to accommodate various uses. Depending on the load/digging requirement, you may need to attach a hydraulic hammer, coupler, grapple, multi-processor, rake, thumb, or buckets.
• Dredging. This involves removing sediment and debris from the base of waterways. Conducting this activity helps to keep rivers and lakes navigable, and often assists coastal re-development efforts.
• Laying pipes to facilitate the supply of water to residential and commercial buildings.

Stay safe

Some of these tasks are extremely dangerous, and therefore, operating this vehicle incorrectly could have dire consequences. Each time you get behind the wheel of a 360° excavator, you must comply with a strict set of health and safety regulations. If you choose to ignore this guidance, you’ll be putting the welfare of yourself and others at risk, and could potentially cause damage to property or other client assets. Therefore, safety should always be at the forefront of your mind when using this machinery.

What capabilities and behaviours should a 360° excavator operator demonstrate?

As well as mastering the technical elements of the role, a 360° excavator operator must also be equipped with several other skills. Some of these skills may come naturally to you, whilst others could require substantial practice.

We’ve provided a list of the key skills a 360° excavator operator should ideally possess:

An ability to work independently or as part of a team

There may be numerous occasions where you’ll be required to work in isolation. In these periods, you’ll be expected to work efficiently with minimal guidance or support. However, there will also be times when you and your colleagues will work collaboratively to deliver a specific objective. A strong performing 360° excavator operator produces high-quality work in either of these scenarios.

Detail-orientated

The controls you use, the ancillary equipment you attach, and the technique you adopt are determined by a vast range of factors. You must be able to account for every possible outcome, and make sure you have thoroughly reviewed the situation at hand. Even the smallest oversight could cause an issue, resulting in a delay in progress. Therefore, you must be capable of assessing each part of a task, and prepare your approach accordingly.

Excellent spatial awareness

When lifting and shifting tonnes of material, rotating a vehicle on its axis, or conducting large-scale demolition work, you must have an acute understanding of your surroundings. As alluded to earlier, one misjudged manoeuvre could result in you causing an injury to yourself or a colleague, or undermining the progress of a works project.

Maintaining calmness and composure

Conducting excavation work can be an extremely stressful activity. You’ll often have to make timely and effective decisions regarding load weights, use various tools simultaneously, follow intensive work schedules, and ensure you adhere to stringent safety protocols. Therefore, you may feel you’re constantly working in a highly pressurised environment. As a result, you’ll need to be able to manage your emotions, keeping a cool head and steady hand to ensure work is completed to the required standard.

A solid general understanding of how vehicle machinery works

Although you’ll receive specific training on how to operate a 360° excavator, it’s best to have a firm grasp of how the mechanical components of a vehicle function. This knowledge will help you better understand the strengths and limitations of your machine, and make running repairs where necessary.

What is the pathway towards becoming a fully qualified 360° excavator operator?

Although not every 360° excavator operator has an identical learning journey, most complete the same or similar training modules en route to fully-qualified status. There are multiple 360° excavator training courses available. However, the most important two are arguably the ones that facilitate applications for red and blue CPCS cards.

The CPCS Excavator 360° Tracked course is designed for those who have limited or zero experience in operating excavator machinery. This course is available as two separate modules, which accommodate two different vehicle sizes. The CPCS Excavator 360° Tracked (A58) and the CPCS Excavator 360° Tracked (A59) modules focus on machines below 10 tonnes and above 10 tonnes, respectively. Therefore, ensure you decide what size of machinery you want to be trained on before attempting to book on to this course.

The CPCS Excavator 360° Tracked course covers the main aspects of the excavation discipline. This includes providing guidance on how to use the excavator safely and competently, performing maintenance inspections of components and ancillary equipment, conducting levelling works using laser tools, and accurately interpreting architectural drawings so that you can deliver an excavation to the required specifications.

Course details

This is a ten-day course. The first nine days will cover the theoretical and practical aspects of your chosen discipline. Your tutor will deliver sessions in the classroom and out in the field. This will enable you to study reading materials, engage in peer group discussions, and practice operating excavator machinery.

On the last day of your course, you’ll sit several assessments. The CPCS technical tests are designed to assess whether you have sufficient technical, practical, and safety knowledge to commence working with a specific piece of plant equipment. These tests are taken at the end of a range of CPCS-sponsored training courses. In the context of this course, the CPCS technical tests will refer to the content you’ve covered in your specific module (whether that be A58 or A59).

To pass this course, you must successfully navigate each CPCS technical test. Upon passing, you’ll be awarded the CITB National Construction College qualification. Confirmation of your newly-acquired qualification will be presented to you as an e-certificate.

CPCS Trained Operator card

Furthermore, the CITB will apply for a CPCS-trained operator card on your behalf. The CPCS-trained operator card is used by those who are currently undertaking training in a plant-related discipline. Although this card identifies you as a trainee, it also demonstrates that you understand the basic principles, demands, and practical considerations of your chosen discipline. If you’re currently applying for employment, you’ll notice that possessing a CPCS-trained operative card is a helpful asset. Therefore, we would encourage all prospective excavator 360° operators to attend this course.

Please note that the qualifying requirements of the CPCS-trained operative card state that you must also pass the CSCS test. There are three assessments in the CSCS testing series, all of which focus on assessing an individual’s level of health & safety knowledge. In ascending order of difficulty, the three CSCS tests are as follows: the operatives test, specialists test, and managers & professionals (‘MAPs’) test.

To attain a CPCS-trained operator card, you’ll need to pass the CSCS operatives test. This must have been achieved within the two years leading up to the date of your card application. However, as you’ll also need to pass this assessment to book onto the CPCS Excavator 360° Tracked course, this particular qualifying requirement should have already been met.

Your CPCS-trained operative card is valid for two years. At the end of this period, you will not be able to renew your membership to this scheme. This is because the CPCS expects you to complete all essential training modules within this two-year timeframe. If you’re no longer a trainee, there is no longer a reason to hold onto a training card! Upon completion of your training, you’ll achieve fully-qualified status in your chosen discipline.

CPCS Competent Operator card

The CPCS competent operator card is used by fully-qualified plant operatives. Most CPCS-trained operator cardholders apply for the competent operator card upon the expiry of their current scheme. Owning a CPCS skilled worker card demonstrates that you have received the necessary training to perform a set of technical skills to industry regulations, and that you know how to observe relevant safety protocols when operating a specific piece of plant machinery/equipment.

To attain a CPCS competent operator card, you must pass an NVQ/SVQ (Scotland) Level 2 course in a plant-related discipline. Alternatively, an equivalent-level qualification (i.e. level 2 vocational award, BTEC certificate) will also be accepted. Clearly, in this case, your course should ideally focus on the operation of an excavator 360° machine. Therefore, we recommend that you attend the 360° Excavator – Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plant Operations course.

Please note you’ll also need to pass the CSCS operatives test (within the last two years) as part of your application.

Categories

Providing you address each of the qualifying requirements outlined above, you’ll be awarded a CPCS competent operator card. On the reverse of your card, you’ll notice that a description of your discipline has been added. Depending on which of the aforementioned modules you attended, this will either state ‘Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes’ or ‘Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes’ These descriptions are otherwise referred to as ‘categories.’

There is a broad range of categories, with each linking to a specific plant-related skill set or occupation. Each category has a specific code. The codes for the two excavation categories are A58 (Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes) and A59 (Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes). The CPCS determines which skills and occupations are represented as categories. The full list of categories can be found here.

You can add categories to your skilled worker card at any stage. To do this, you’ll need to complete the necessary training courses, including a relevant NVQ Level 2 course (or equivalent qualification). Therefore, if you’re hoping to add the Telescopic Handler category to your card, you should attend the Level 2 NVQ Telehandler course. There’s a chance you’ll add multiple categories to your card throughout your career in the construction industry.

Endorsements

A number of categories can be split into several sub-disciplines. These sub-disciplines are referred to as endorsements. An endorsement indicates that you have been trained on a specific piece of equipment relating to your field, can operate a certain type of vehicle, or are capable of performing a complex skill. This enables you to undertake a particular set of tasks. For example, the Lorry Loader (A36) categories carry three endorsements; hook, clamshell bucket, and hydraulic clamp. If you’ve added any of these endorsements to your CPCS skilled worker card, you’ll be able to complete tasks using the corresponding equipment.

There are three endorsements attached to each of the two excavation categories. The two sets of endorsements for each category are exactly the same:

Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes (A58):

A. Tracked
B. Wheeled
C. Lifting Operations

Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes (A59):

A. Tracked
B. Wheeled
C. Lifting Operations

As per the process of adding a category to your card, you’ll need to pass the relevant training modules to earn a specific endorsement. You should never attempt to conduct a task without completing the required training beforehand. Operating plant equipment can be an extremely dangerous exercise. Therefore, you must ensure you understand how to use it safely.