180° Excavator (Lifting Operations) Training

Standard A12 certification covers 180° excavator operation for digging, loading, grading, and general earthmoving. A12C is an endorsement that adds lifting operations capability. The key differences are:

• Equipment Configuration: A12C involves removing the excavator bucket and fitting a lifting hook attachment
• Operations Type: Suspending loads with chains, slings, and shackles rather than carrying in bucket
• Regulations: LOLER 1998 applies to A12C lifting operations, requiring lift planning and appointed person oversight
• Applications: A12C enables pipe laying, manhole installation, precast handling, and infrastructure component lifting

Under LOLER regulations, using an excavator to suspend loads with hooks and slings without proper certification is illegal and extremely dangerous.

Yes. The A12C is a bolt-on endorsement to the standard A12 qualification. You must hold a current CPCS A12 (180° Excavator Above 5 Tonnes) card before attending the A12C lifting operations course.

If you don't yet have A12, you'll need to complete that first. Contact us and we can advise on the best route—potentially combining A12 training followed immediately by A12C.

A12 holders adding lifting endorsement: 1-2 days depending on experience

Experienced lifting operators needing certification: 1 day (skills validation and testing). If you've been doing backhoe lifting work regularly, you may be ready for the shorter route.

A12C certification is essential for numerous utility, groundworks, and civil engineering applications:

• Utility Installation: Lifting and placing pipes, manholes, cable chambers, and service components
• Drainage Works: Handling concrete rings, inspection chambers, headwalls, and culverts
• Groundworks: Placing precast kerbs, edgings, and heavy landscaping components
• Highway Works: Installing gullies, drainage components, and infrastructure elements
• Telecoms/Electrical: Lifting cable drums, junction boxes, and underground chambers
• General Construction: Any work requiring suspended loads with a backhoe loader

Many utility and groundworks contracts now specifically require operators to hold the lifting operations endorsement.

No, not all backhoe loaders are suitable or legally permitted for lifting operations. To perform lifting duties, a machine must:

• Manufacturer Approval: Be specifically approved by the manufacturer for lifting operations (check operator's manual)
• Lifting Attachment: Have a proper certified lifting hook fitted correctly
• Load Information: Have manufacturer-provided lifting capacity information available
• LOLER Examination: Undergo thorough examination and certification as lifting equipment (typically every 6-12 months)
• Appropriate Condition: Be in good working order with functioning stabilisers

Your employer or hire company must confirm that specific machines are approved and certified for lifting operations before you use them with A12C certification.

Sling angle is critical and dramatically affects the load each leg experiences. The angle is measured from vertical:

• 90° (vertical slings): Maximum efficiency—each leg carries its rated capacity
• 60° angle: Load on each leg increases by approximately 15%
• 45° angle: Load on each leg increases by approximately 40%
• 30° angle: Load on each leg doubles (200% of vertical load)

Example: Two-leg sling with each leg rated at 1 tonne SWL:

• At 90°: Can safely lift 2 tonnes total
• At 60°: Can safely lift approximately 1.73 tonnes total
• At 45°: Can safely lift approximately 1.4 tonnes total
• At 30°: Can safely lift only 1 tonne total

Our training includes practical sling angle calculations. Best practice is to maintain angles above 60° wherever possible.

180° Excavator (Backhoe Loader):

• Limited slew arc—typically 180-200 degrees rotation
• Wheeled machine with front loader and rear excavator
• Requires stabiliser deployment for lifting operations
• Ideal for confined spaces, utility trenches, and working near boundaries
• Load must be positioned within the limited slew arc

360° Excavator:

• Unlimited rotation—cab and arm spin full circle
• Typically tracked machines
• Greater lifting capacity on larger models
• Can position loads in any direction around the machine

The 180° excavator's limited slew means you must plan load positioning carefully. However, for utility and groundworks in tight spaces, the backhoe's versatility often makes it the preferred choice.

Under LOLER 1998, lifting operations must be planned by a competent person and carried out under appropriate supervision. The level of planning and supervision depends on the complexity and risk of the lift:

• Routine, straightforward lifts: Can often be covered by a generic risk assessment and method statement, with the operator competent to assess and proceed
• Complex or higher-risk lifts: Require specific lift planning by an appointed person
• Heavy, awkward, or critical lifts: Need detailed lift plans and direct appointed person oversight

A12C training covers your responsibilities as an operator and helps you understand when additional planning and supervision is required.

Yes. Once the A12C endorsement is added to your CPCS card, you can work on site immediately. The endorsement is recognised across UK construction, utility, and infrastructure sites.

However, you must upgrade to Blue Card (via NVQ Level 2) within the two-year validity period. Your NVQ portfolio should include evidence of lifting operations work.

You need to complete NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations while working on site. This typically takes 6-12 months and is assessed based on your real-world competence.

The process:

1. Pass A12C and get endorsement added to Red Card (valid 2 years)
2. Work on site, logging hours including lifting operations
3. Complete NVQ Level 2 with assessor (6-12 months)
4. Apply to CPCS for Blue Card (valid 5 years, renewable)

Your NVQ portfolio must include evidence of lifting operations—not just standard excavation work. We can connect you to NVQ providers and discuss funding options.

We'll debrief you on what went wrong—whether it's lifting theory, rigging technique, sling angle calculations, or load control. Then we'll discuss the best way forward.

Next steps typically involve:

• Additional practice on weak areas
• Further training if necessary
• Booking a re-test when properly prepared

The lifting operations test demands competence—you must demonstrate safe rigging, inspection, and load management. It's better to invest in proper preparation than rush to retest.

Under LOLER 1998, lifting accessories require regular inspection:

Thorough Examination (by competent person):

• Minimum every 6 months
• Written report required and retained
• Accessories must have current certification

Pre-Use Inspection (your responsibility):

• Before every use, visually inspect all lifting gear
• Check for damage, wear, distortion, or corrosion
• Verify SWL markings are legible
• Remove defective items from service immediately

Our training emphasizes inspection criteria and rejection standards. Never use equipment that's damaged, unidentifiable, or lacking current certification.

Underestimating load weight: Guessing rather than calculating or checking delivery notes. Overloading causes most lifting incidents.

Ignoring sling angles: Not accounting for how shallow angles dramatically increase forces on sling legs.

Poor stabiliser deployment: Not fully extending stabilisers or placing them on unsuitable ground.

Lifting over the side: Backhoe loaders have significantly reduced capacity when lifting over the side vs over the rear.

Sharp edges without protection: Failing to use edge protection on concrete or steel causes sling damage and potential failure.

Working too close to trenches: Ground can collapse if machine is positioned too close to excavation edge.

Using damaged equipment: Damaged lifting gear must be removed from service immediately—no exceptions.

Two years. Within that time, you need to complete your NVQ Level 2 and upgrade to a Blue Card. If you don't, your Red Card expires and you'll need to retest.

Funding options depend on your employment status:

• Employers: CITB grants may be available if levy-registered. Lifting operations qualifications are grant-eligible.
• Apprenticeship Levy: Can be used towards NVQ costs for the Blue Card upgrade
• Self-employed: Typically self-funded, but it's an investment in specialist skills that open up more work opportunities

Contact us to check eligibility and discuss your options.

Maximum 2:1. Small group sizes mean proper supervision and plenty of hands-on practice with rigging and lifting techniques.