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Quick hitch coupler safety

We have doubled the grant rates for short course tiers 1 – 3. To address rising costs, you can now receive higher rates on course achievements from 1st April 2023

Grant Tier

Achievement date before 1 April 2023

Achievement date on or after 1 April 2023

Grant Tier 1

Grant Tier 1 Refresher

£30

£15

£60

£30

Grant Tier 2

Grant Tier 2 Refresher

£70

£35

£140

£70

Grant Tier 3

Grant Tier 3 Refresher

£120

£60

£240

£120

Overview

The purpose of training delivered against this standard is to provide candidates with an understanding of the risks associated with quick-hitch couplers and how to use them safely.

Duration

Minimum half a day of 3 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of training delivered against this standard is to provide candidates with an understanding of the risks associated with quick-hitch couplers and how to use them safely.

The scope of this standard covers:

  • classifications of quick-hitch couplers
  • coupling, securing, checking and detaching of attachments procedures for manual and hydraulically-operated quick-hitch couplers
  • relevant health and safety legislation and legal duties
  • risks associated with quick-hitch couplers
  • visual inspections
  • attaching and detaching quick-hitch coupler
  • maintenance and storage.

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s):

  • operative and craft
  • supervision.

Candidate pre-requisites

Candidates should be an experienced operator of the plant to be used.

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

  • a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate
  • successfully completed training to this standard 
  • at least 2 years relevant industrial experience
  • a verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The primary delivery method should be demonstration and practice, supported by classroom and/or e-learning.

This standard is considered to contain 51 per cent or more theoretical training.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment or knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard. 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

Recommended refreshment: Health & Safety Executive (HSE), other relevant codes of practice or industry card scheme criteria recommend that the candidate completes a refresher of his/her training, (i.e. to ensure their knowledge and/or skills are up to date) every 5 years.

Approval date

November 2018

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

  • List the classifications of quick-hitch couplers
  • Explain the coupling, securing, checking and detaching of attachments procedures for manual and hydraulically-operated quick-hitch couplers
  • Outline the relevant health and safety legislation applicable to the operation of quick-hitch couplers and the legal duties of operators
  • Identify the risks associated with quick-hitch couplers and explain the causes and consequences of incorrect fitment
  • Conduct visual inspections of quick-hitch couplers – pre-use and after attaching
  • Attach, secure and detach at least one attachment using a quick-hitch coupler following manufacturer’s instructions
  • Apply safe working practices when coupling and disconnecting an attachment using a quick-hitch coupler
  • Maintain and store quick-hitch couplers

Additional guidance to support learning outcome:

 Health & Safety Executive (HSE):

Additional information about this standard