The European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes (ESTA) has approved a dual-track training process for its new European Trailer Operator Licence (ETOL) covering modular hydraulically suspended trailers, including SPMTs.
Discussions on the design of the trailer operator training and the related documents on engineering levels and transport categories were held by ESTA’s specialist MHST working group earlier this month. The meetings aimed to ensure that small companies and new market entrants would have an efficient route to acquire suitably trained operators.
There will now be two training paths to achieve accreditation: one institute-based and another workplace oriented. At the end of the training, both routes will lead to the same examination and qualification.
The amended training set up was given the go-ahead last week by the European Crane and Transport Operators’ Licence (ECTOL) expert committee. ECTOL is the body that oversees the operation of both ESTA’s European crane operators licence scheme (ECOL), as well as the ETOL project.
“This is hugely important work that we hope will significantly improve safety and standards on a wide range of projects,” said ECTOL general manager and ESTA director Ton Klijn. “With the use of SPMTs becoming ever more widespread, it is clearly essential that an internationally recognised training standard for operators is developed and accepted as soon as possible.”
Now, ESTA’s expert team will work on a glossary of definitions across multiple languages to ensure common understanding, along with developing the list of questions for the examinations and the answers to go with them.
When issued, an ETOL licence will be valid for five years. Renewal will take into account relevant and recent work experience; proof of relevant re-training or theoretical tests containing the latest developments in modular trailer techniques and regulations; and medical fitness.
Last month, ESTA saw its proposed heavy transport reforms accelerate.
