Excavator Banksman Training Course

Our Excavator Banksman Training Course provides the essential skills needed to safely guide excavators and manage plant movements on construction and utility sites.
This course delivers practical, scenario‑based learning to reduce people–plant risks and ensure compliance with UK legislation and HSE best practice.

Designed for banksmen, groundworkers, utilities operatives, supervisors and anyone who works around excavators or moving plant.

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On-site delivery.

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Five-star rated by previous participants.

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Fully qualified trainers.

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Health & Safety England approved qualifications.

Excavator Banksman

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Direct excavator movements using standardised hand signals
  • Communicate clearly using radios and visual signalling
  • Maintain safe Yellow, Amber and Red exclusion zones
  • Identify plant blind spots and maintain visual contact
  • Apply Safe Systems of Work (RAMS)
  • Conduct hazard identification and risk assessments
  • Prevent service strikes using CAT & Genny, utility drawings and trial holes
  • Assess ground conditions and ensure trench stability
  • Use required PPE correctly and comply with UK regulations

What the Course Covers

  1. Roles & Responsibilities
  • Duties of a trained excavator banksman
  • Safe movement and control of vehicles and plant
  • Managing people–plant interfaces
  • Preventing reversing incidents and blind spot collisions
  1. UK Legislation & Compliance

Covers all relevant regulations including:

  • HASAWA 1974
  • Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
  • Safety Signs & Signals Regulations 1996
  • PUWER & LOLER
  • HSG144(construction-specific vehicle guidance)
  • HSG136(workplace transport safety)
  1. Safe Systems of Work (SSoW / RAMS)
  • How to create and follow a safe method of work
  • Hazard identification and control measures
  • Risk matrices, recording findings & ongoing monitoring
  1. Communication & Signalling
  • Standard banksman hand signals
  • Radio etiquette
  • Managing poor visibility, noise and blind spots
  • Maintaining operator visual contact at all times
  1. Exclusion Zones

Clear guidance on:

  • Yellow, Amber and Red zones
  • Entry rules, access control and equipment isolation
  • Preventing struck-by and crushing incidents
  1. Underground Services (HSG47)
  • Identifying and locating utilities
  • CAT & Genny use
  • Trial holes
  • Reading and interpreting utility drawings
  • Preventing gas, electric, water and fibre strikes
  1. Ground & Trench Safety
  • UK ground types (clays, granular, topsoil, made ground etc.)
  • Assessing stability and water content
  • Safe trench entry and support systems
  • Shoring, trench boxes, sheet piling and battering
  1. PPE Requirements
  • Hi-vis classes (Class 1, 2 & 3)
  • Hard hats & colour coding
  • Safety gloves & footwear standards
  • Hearing and eye protection

Course Benefits

  • Reduces risk of plant-related accidents
  • Ensures compliance with UK law & HSE guidance
  • Boosts on-site safety culture
  • Ideal for new operatives and refresher training
  • Suitable for construction, utilities, highways and civil engineering sectors

Certification

Learners receive a EUSR registration Or Utility Training UK Certificate of Competence upon successful completion of training and assessment.

Duration

Typically delivered as a 1‑day course, including assessment and practical demonstration.