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Hire Equipment Service Technician (HEST) - generators and lighting towers

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 this standard is to give the Hire Service technician the required skills and knowledge to safely complete inspections and conduct service and routine repairs on Generators and Lighting Towers.

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to give the Hire Service technician the required skills and knowledge to safely complete inspections and conduct service and routine repairs on Generators and Lighting Towers 

Scope:  

Nomenclature - names of different types & components of Generators and Lighting Towers 

Inspection - Following clean-down, be able to identify components to be inspected according to manufacturer schedules; carry out visual inspections, recording using correct terminology, items which may require attention such as leaks, damaged power cables, mast hoist cables 

Pre-use Checks - Understand risk assessments and dangers (i.e. electric shock, explosion/fire) associated with each power source ; identify correct PPE for task and create a safe working area / zone off operating area to conduct basic checks following manufacturer and employer checklists before equipment is operated - to have knowledge and practical exposure to: 

petrol (2 & 4 stroke); diesel powered generators (including electrical system - alternator, voltage regulator, battery charger and control panel/instruments) and lighting towers  

Equipment operational checks - select the correct PPE, employ safe lifting techniques and follow manufacturer safe start up and operation procedures to check full functionality of all power sources - generators and lighting towers plus controls, switches and gauges/warning systems, stabilising and mast raising/lowering systems for lighting towers 

Basic servicing - knowledge training will cover all aspects of internal combustion engine (lubrication, cooling and filters for internal combustion;  and the technician will be able to conduct safe oil change procedures, level checking and top-ups and dispose of oils, rags and used filters according to employer environmental waste disposal procedures.      

Fault diagnosis - will have sufficient knowledge to successfully diagnose common faults and be able to fault find on actual machinery including fuel; ignition and power generation faults; using electrical testing equipment; 

Repairs - will have sufficient knowledge to review risk assessments and describe hazards and controls to be used for conducting repairs; what components can be repaired or replaced without return to manufacturer’s agent and know how to and carry out basic repairs across a range of Generators and Lighting Towers 

Record keeping - know what records need to be completed, how and when and then complete records for practical repair work carried out above.  

Legislation - Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act - companies have broad responsibilities for the safety of the products they hire out. This includes (so far as reasonably practicable) pre-hire testing and inspection to ensure continued safety, and the provision of information. 

Occupational relevance

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

  • operative and craft 
  • supervision 

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However some plant mechanic experience and a basic knowledge of terminology and techniques would be beneficial. 

Instruction/supervision

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

  • a qualified trainer 
  • be a qualified plant mechanic (VQ level 2) 
  • a verifiable CV 

Delivery

Delivery will be in an 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 following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard: 

  • A blend of classroom and e-learning 
  • Practical training area. 

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more theoretical learning.  

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.  

Assessment

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are:  

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the candidate has achieved all of the learning outcomes 

Quality assurance

Assured 

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

Non-mandatory refresher every 3 years 

Approval date

March 2020

Review cycle

Either on request or 3 years from approval date