Mid Green occupationEngineering and manufacturing
Lifting equipment technician
Repair, maintain, modify, inspect, test, install and assemble lifting equipment to ensure its suitability and safety for a continued period of service.
Summary
This occupation is found in a wide range of industries, wherever organisations have lifting equipment. For example this could be in marine, construction, manufacturing, distribution, medical, agriculture, mining and quarrying, aeronautical, renewable, entertainment and military environments. This is a globally recognised occupation, in demand wherever lifting equipment is used.
Examples of equipment include, but are not limited to, hoists used for the lifting of lighting rigs at festivals to chain slings on construction sites. Equipment can be in almost any type of industry, including onshore or offshore, in car plants, aircraft manufacturing organisations, ship building, yacht building, food processing, warehousing and general engineering facilities.
They are typically employed in organisations who provide a bespoke service or in-house by the users of the equipment. This can include lifting equipment manufacturers, end users, owners, distributors, hirers and inspectors.
They will often be required to work on site and at clients premises and will need to be able to travel to them, so will typically need a driving licence. The broad purpose of the occupation is to repair, maintain, modify, inspect, test, install and assemble lifting equipment to ensure its suitability and safety for a continued period of service. They provide documentation and technical advice to customers and check that equipment is being maintained in accordance with statutory requirements. Additionally, the role may include the removal of equipment from service or decommissioning where it is considered to be unsafe and does not meet regulatory standards.
Lifting Equipment Technicians are self-motivated problem solvers who work with organisations to resolve issues and come up with solutions to their everyday needs. They ensure the safety and suitability of the equipment used for lifting goods or people in order to meet regulatory requirements. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with site managers, production managers, health & safety managers, workshop supervisors, design engineers, equipment and component suppliers and government agencies, such as the HSE.
They may work independently or within a team and typically report to a senior line manager who can offer support, knowledge, and best practice guidance. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for supporting the organisations in which they are employed or providing a service to. They typically have responsibility for a range of lifting equipment to ensure it has been properly verified as safe for use. The Lifting Equipment Technician can interpret and comply with contract information, such as service contracts, and work with the lifting organisations who hold or own lifting equipment. They are also responsible for ensuring Health & Safety, Regulatory and Quality requirements are met, and for taking an active role in general workshop quality control.
They are responsible for ensuring the maintenance of their own tools and equipment and the tidiness of their working area.
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
The types, applications and unique characteristics of lifting equipment, including static and manually operated equipment, derivatives and the associated technology and the characteristics and physical mechanical properties of materials used in the manufacturing of lifting equipment
K2:
Diagnostic and assessment principles required to maintain, repair and modify the mechanical aspects of lifting equipment to meet manufacturer specifications
K3:
Current legislation and Standards for lifting equipment, components, tools and equipment
K4:
Legislation and required compliance within the lifting equipment industry, including lifting equipment regulations (for example Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), Machinery Directive, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Working at Height, Confined space working, manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards.
K5:
Workshop and onsite operations which may include ordering, stock control and correct use of documentation such as order forms, repair forms, quarantine forms and reports of thorough examination
K6:
Types of customer interaction and customer service techniques including when to contact the customer, the tone that should be adopted, how to time and follow up communication – both verbally and in writing, and how to adjust the approach to take account of customers’/clients’ needs
K7:
Commercial practices, products and services
K8:
How to ensure the safety of self, colleagues and anyone in the working area (risk/hazard identification); manual handling, correct selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Risk Assessment and Method Statements.
K9:
Safe disposal and recycling of associated waste (including waste oils, cleaning fluids, batteries, tyres, etc.). Environmental policies.
K10:
The rights and responsibilities of an employee and employer, including the importance of respecting people from diverse backgrounds and treating people fairly
K11:
Assessment of equipment for continued safe use, such as how to identify the repair required, component compatibility, time and materials required to fix
K12:
Knowledge of manufacturer specifications and industry working practices - understanding pre-use checks, storage of equipment, when and where to use them, assembly, maintenance and safe use instructions, knowing the importance of following manufacturers' specifications and organisations' procedures when making repairs and installing lifting equipment
K13:
Principles of handling hazardous equipment, materials and substances, their safe handling, preservation, storage & shipping of damaged items, emergency procedures, knowing when to ask for third party advice and guidance
K14:
Standard operating functions of lifting equipment in normal use
K15:
Pass or fail inspection criteria for equipment when failed or is not fit for purpose, such as identification of common defects and parts that regularly break or go missing and need to be replaced, including chain wear features, missing or broken latches in hooks
K16:
Operation of manual or IT applications used in the workshop and on-site environment, such as excel, search engines and company reporting systems
K17:
Scheduling and project management techniques; planning and the importance of meeting project deadlines (how to manage oneself to meet company targets)
K18:
Causes of defects and maintenance issues and problem solving. How to identify likely causes of damage, for example. manufacturing fault, wear, misuse or overloading
K19:
How to prepare a complete report according to legislative requirements and who to contact about defects and how to address them, including when to notify statutory bodies
K20:
How to calculate in use operational safe working loads considering working conditions, method of use for the equipment and operating environment, such as how to work out a percentage, mode factors, uniform load method, trigonometric method calculations, algebra and Pythagoras theorem, Units of measure, including imperial and metric systems and how to convert them
K21:
Manufacturing techniques and resulting impact on safe and correct operational use of equipment
K22:
Heat treatment, principles and processes - including critical ranges and the implications of not achieving correct temperature ranges
K23:
Stress and strain and their impact on material behaviour
K24:
Verification methods and how and when to use them. This includes destructive and non-destructive testing, which could be visual examination, operational / functional testing, load testing, proof load testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), dye penetrant, bend testing, Eddy current testing, X-ray testing, ultrasound testing, Izod testing and Charpy testing
K25:
Marking requirements and techniques
K26:
How to use measuring equipment and calibrated tools including digital verniers, torqueing tools, dial gauges, load cells, compression tools and micrometers
Technical Educational Products
- ST0872: Lifting equipment technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0872
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £40,514 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3113 Engineering technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3113/99 Engineering technicians n.e.c.
- 5223/07 Hydraulic technicians
- 5223/08 Lift technicians
- 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
- 8151/01 Engineering construction riggers
S1:
Use knowledge, experience and judgement to undertake inspections/examinations in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and guidelines and industry standards
S2:
Estimate time required to complete a task
S3:
Identify components that require repair, replacement or discard and diagnose faults
S4:
Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and industry standards
S5:
Assemble, dismantle and reassemble new and used lifting equipment
S6:
Complete routine maintenance on items of lifting equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, guidelines and industry standards
S7:
Manufacture/assemble steel wire rope sling in accordance with the applicable and current EN, BS, or ISO manufacturing standards (or other standard specified by the client) and techniques or specifications
S8:
Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions/guidance and industry standard
S9:
Read and interpret technical drawings, schematic parts diagrams, load charts and technical specifications
S10:
Research information using hard copy and digital formats, e.g. referring to LOLER, manufacturers specifications, standards
S11:
Log and record work activities and prepare reports, such as a Report of Thorough Examination, Examination Defect Report, timesheets
S12:
Identify and use tools and measuring devices required for a task, for example verniers, load cells, tape measure, steel rule
S13:
Maintain a clean, tidy and safe working area
S14:
Apply company quality control measures
S15:
Apply knowledge of lifting equipment to appropriately guide customers in the selection of lifting equipment for the task
S16:
Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures as required (such as Health and Safety at Work Act, Working at Height, Risk Assessment and Method Statements)
S17:
Apply safe manual handling techniques
S18:
Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
S19:
Identify and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
S20:
Develop safe systems of work, including risk assessments and method statements, Specifying manpower required, Specifying qualifications, training and experience requirements, Identifying safe methods of access and transportation, Identifying correct PPE for the task, Specifying work location and environment, plant, machinery, tools and equipment, Identifying the applicable statutory and customer safety standards that must be complied with
S21:
Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply control measures
S22:
Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy
S23:
Control and manage spills
S24:
Perform different types of tests to verify lifting equipment, eg light load test, proof load, function test
S25:
Use lifting equipment safely
S26:
Install lifting equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specification and industry working practices
S27:
Mark lifting equipment in accordance with industrial standards
Technical Educational Products
- ST0872: Lifting equipment technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0872
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £40,514 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3113 Engineering technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3113/99 Engineering technicians n.e.c.
- 5223/07 Hydraulic technicians
- 5223/08 Lift technicians
- 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
- 8151/01 Engineering construction riggers
B1:
Safety Conscious - Puts safety first. Always uses safety equipment and PPE and has customers’ safety in mind
B2:
Collaborative - For example, works well with others. supports other people (colleagues and/or clients), considers the implications of their actions on other people and the business, listens to others and has a positive and respectful attitude
B3:
Professional Values - Behaves in a manner that aligns with the company ethos, including prompt timekeeping, smart presentation of self and working area, acts as a responsible ambassador for the business, by working efficiently, treating all clients, employees and co-workers respectfully and meeting customer and employer expectations
B4:
Honesty and Integrity - Acts with integrity, giving honest and accurate guidance to customers
B5:
Results Driven - Completes tasks in accordance with the specific job requirements , within the agreed timescale, demonstrating acceptable workmanship and completing the required documentation correctly.
B6:
Quality Focus – Shows attention to detail and uses a logical approach to problem solving. Seeks opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency. Stays motivated and committed when facing challenges
B7:
Continuous Personal Development - Receptive to constructive feedback from peers and management and proactive in giving feedback to others. Reflects on own knowledge, skills and behaviours and seeks opportunities to develop
B8:
Assertive and Confident - Is confident and communicates with conviction
B9:
Self-Motivation - Takes responsibility for completion of own work
B10:
Adaptability - Able to adjust to changes to work instructions and tasks
Technical Educational Products
- ST0872: Lifting equipment technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0872
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £40,514 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3113 Engineering technicians
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3113/99 Engineering technicians n.e.c.
- 5223/07 Hydraulic technicians
- 5223/08 Lift technicians
- 5246/00 Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
- 8151/01 Engineering construction riggers