45-question written theory test, pass standard 80% (36 of 45). Answered in the candidate’s own handwriting, covering:
The slinger/signaller role
Where the role sits in a lifting operation: the lift plan, the Appointed Person and the Lift Supervisor
Lifting accessories: types, marking and thorough examination
Load weight, centre of gravity and sling angle
Signals and communication
Characteristic causes of harm
The following are safety-critical and must be answered correctly regardless of the overall score:
The three key duties LOLER 1998 places on a lifting operation: properly planned, supervised and carried out safely
No person may be under a suspended load at any time; the exclusion zone is maintained for the whole travel path
The four things the slinger must know before any load is lifted: weight, centre of gravity, lifting points and travel path
A 2 tonne load on a two-leg sling at 90 degrees included angle: each leg carries approximately 1.4 tonnes, about 0.7 of the total
Defects that take a chain sling out of service
Edge protection fitted wherever a sling passes over a corner or edge
The signaller’s position: continuous clear view of the operator, outside the exclusion zone and out of the load path
Minimum distances from overhead electricity lines: plus 9 metres for wooden poles, plus 15 metres for steel pylons
A load must never be dragged sideways before it is lifted clear; it must be lifted vertically over its centre of gravity
Practical assessment
Structured exercises, each marked against observed performance criteria. Every criterion must reach competent; any dangerous act terminates the assessment.
Accessory selection and pre-use inspection (Units 405, 404, 641): identify load weight and centre of gravity, select accessories of the correct type and rating for the configuration and angle, read and confirm the marked safe working load and identification on every accessory, inspect chain, webbing/roundsling and shackles and identify planted defects, quarantine and report a defective accessory, confirm thorough examination is current
Attaching the load (Units 402, 404): select the correct lifting points and sling configuration, attach above the centre of gravity so the load hangs level on the trial lift, keep the included angle within limits and apply the correct mode factor, fit edge protection at all corners and edges, seat shackle pins and hooks correctly with catches closed, fit tag lines where required
Signalling and moving the load (Units 402, 406): establish and maintain the exclusion zone with nobody under the load, position in continuous clear view of the operator and clear of the load path, give clear and unambiguous standard hand signals, perform the trial lift and check stability before committing, control swing and rotation with tag lines only, demonstrate the emergency stop and loss-of-communication procedure, use radio procedure correctly for a blind lift
Landing and releasing the load (Units 402, 643): confirm the landing area is firm, level and prepared with timbers or dunnage, land the load stable and clear of access routes, keep hands clear of trap points throughout, release and withdraw slings without dragging or snagging, confirm the load is secure before leaving it
Accessory care and housekeeping (Units 405, 643, 642): clean and return accessories to correct storage, rack by type and capacity with damaged items quarantined, keep the work and landing area clear throughout, report the completed lift to the supervisor
The assessor deemed Fred Bloggs competent within the stated scope, and the qualification was awarded in August 2026.
Qualification units
This qualification carries credit against the following National Occupational Standards units:
641 Conforming to General Health, Safety and Welfare in the Workplace
642 Conforming to Productive Working Practices in the Workplace
643 Moving, Handling and Storing Resources in the Workplace
402 Attaching, Lifting and Moving Suspended Loads in the Workplace (Slinger/Signaller)
404 Preparing and Securing Loads for Movement Using Lifting Accessories in the Workplace
405 Maintaining Work Equipment and Accessories in the Workplace
406 Signalling for the Movement of Loads in the Workplace
The legal position
No UK government body issues a licence for the role of slinger and signaller, and no statute requires one. The duty to train and assess competence sits with the employer, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 section 2(2)(c) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 regulation 9.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require every lifting operation to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. The Approved Code of Practice L113 sets the standard for selecting, inspecting and thoroughly examining lifting accessories, and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 govern the hand signals used to direct the lift.
The full site evidence statement sets out the basis of the qualification, the assessment decision and the audit trail, for presentation to site management and health and safety personnel.
The full site evidence statement is issued with the operator’s pack.