Plant Operators Certificate of Competence
The CMPE Plant Operators' Certificate of Competence was introduced in 1983. Using this, plant operators are able to prove they have skills and are competent. This enables employers to fulfil their statutory requirements. It is available to plant operators who, through a system of application and checking, can prove their competence. CMPE Certificates of Competence contain details of an operator's expertise which can be checked with the National Registrar. The Certificate is only valid if the application is supported by a current Safety Awareness Certificate.
The introduction of the CDM Regulations placed duties upon clients, designers and contractors which have highlighted the importance of competence. Site Agents and Managers are demanding proof of competence before allowing any activity to commence on site.
It is accepted that formal training alone cannot ensure competence, the important element of experience must be taken into account. Competence can be assessed by an individual's application of expertise in relation to the task to be undertaken. The judgement of an operator's competence is the responsibility of the employer. He will base that decision on the experience of the type of work carried out and the manner in which the task is completed. The assessment of competence remains an ongoing responsibility due to changes in working practices, regulative requirements and application.
For the CMPE a competent Plant Operator is one who is properly trained, experienced, mature in manner and holds a current Safety Awareness Certificate.
A plant operator with a CMPE Certificate of Competence, a current Safety Awareness Certificate and an up to date Record of Competence Log Book, should give confidence to the Site Management, as every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the work will be carried out SAFELY.
What are your Legal Obligations to train?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASWA 1974), it is the responsibility of all employers to ensure that their plant operators are trained. And, under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 1998) it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that their plant operators are competent.
Following considerable discussion between plant operators, employers and other interested parties the Contractors Mechanical Plant Engineers has designed and produced a Plant Operator's Log Book.
The purpose of this Log Book is to provide holders of the CMPE Plant Operators Certificate of Competence with a means of maintaining their own personal record of work achieved, location and plant operated. By the inclusion of a section for completion by site management it also has the following additional benefits:
- It provides a means of Customer/Employer reporting on operator performance with particular reference to safety and general competence.
- It provides future Customers/Employers with a means of assessing an operator's ability before work on site commences. In this way the Log Book will be of assistance to the Employer in his duties under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other relevant legislation.
- It may be used as a C.V. by the operator.
- In the unfortunate event of an accident, contents of the Log Book may be invaluable in any dispute proceedings regarding competence.
In the past, although employers may have kept comprehensive operator records, these would not normally be available to individual operators or other third parties. Occasionally, individuals may obtain personal references or letters of recommendation but it is envisaged that the Operator's Log book will provide a standard record personal to the operator and which remains his property.
Meet the COC Committee Members
Unlike other many card schemes, the CMPE COC is run for the benefit of the plant operator; financial gain is very low on the list of priorities! Rather the COC aim to help and support genuine plant professionals who simply wish to train their operators and ensure that they are competent at an affordable cost. All of the COC committee members are practitioners with years of knowledge and experience of both operating and owning plant and equipment.