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Hire equipment service technician (HEST) - welding, heating and cutting equipment

Overview

The purpose of this standard is to give the Hire Service technician the required skills and knowledge to safely complete inspections and conduct service and routine repairs on Welding, Heating and Cutting equipment.

Duration

Minimum 1 day of 6 learning hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to give the Hire Service technician the required skills and knowledge to safely complete inspections and conduct service and routine repairs on Welding, Heating and Cutting equipment 

Scope:  

  • Nomenclature - names of different types & components of welders, cutting and heating equipment  

  • Inspection - Following clean-down, be able to identify components to be inspected according to manufacturer schedules; carry out visual inspections, recording using correct terminology, items which may require attention such as leaks, damaged power cables, welding cables, gas connections  

  • Pre-use Checks - Understand risk assessments and dangers (i.e. electric shock, explosion/fire) associated with each power source ; identify correct PPE for task and create a safe working area / zone off operating area to conduct basic checks following manufacturer and employer checklists before equipment is operated: 
    • petrol (2 & 4 stroke); diesel engined arc welding equipment, transformers and electrical for welding & cutting  plus propane, butane and paraffin heaters  

  • Equipment operational checks - select the correct PPE for each category- i.e welding mask; employ safe lifting techniques and follow manufacturer safe start up and operation procedures to check full functionality of all controls, switches and gauges/warning systems  

  • Basic servicing - knowledge training will cover all aspects of internal combustion engine (lubrication, cooling and filters for internal combustion; transformers; heating systems (convective and radiant with differing power sources) and types of cutting equipment bench, circular, chop saws, angle grinders, disc cutters)  and the technician will be able to conduct safe oil change procedures, level checking and top-ups and dispose of oils, rags and used filters according to employer environmental waste disposal procedures.  

  • Fault diagnosis - will have sufficient knowledge to successfully diagnose common faults and be able to fault find on actual machinery including fuel and ignition faults; using electrical testing equipment; pressure tests on gas piping/valves and  leak detector solution 

  • Repairs - will have sufficient knowledge to review risk assessments and describe hazards and controls to be used for conducting repairs; what components can be repaired or replaced without return to manufacturer’s agent and know how to and carry out basic repairs across a range of Welding, Heating and Cutting equipment 

  • Record keeping - know what records need to be completed, how and when and then complete records for practical repair work carried out above.  
  • Legislation - Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act - companies have broad responsibilities for the safety of the products they hire out. This includes (so far as reasonably practicable) pre-hire testing and inspection to ensure continued safety, and the provision of information. 

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s): 

  • operative and craft 
  • supervision.

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard. However some plant mechanic experience and a basic knowledge of terminology and techniques would be beneficial. 

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have: 

  • a qualified trainer 
  • be a qualified plant mechanic (VQ level 2) 
  • a verifiable CV.

Delivery

Delivery will be in an off the job environment. 

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation. 

The class size and candidate/instructor ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.  

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard: 

  • a blend of classroom and e-learning.

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more practical learning.  

This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level. 

Assessment

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are:  

For the successful completion of training, the trainer must be satisfied that the candidate has achieved all of the learning outcomes 

Quality assurance

Assured 

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.  

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.  

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team. 

Renewal

Non-mandatory refresher every 3 years

Approval date

March 2020 

Review cycle

Either on request or 3 years from approval date 

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to: 

Additional guidance to support learning outcome  

 

Inspection  

Clean down equipment 

Examine equipment for damage; faults and leaks plus use manufacturer schedules 

Record findings using correct terminology 

Pre-use Checks 

Understand and use manufacturer guidelines and employer standards 

Understand risk assessments 

Equipment operational checks 

Understand the importance of correct PPE and safe work zones 

Follow manufacturer safe start up and operation procedures to check full functionality of all controls; switches; gauges; warning systems and equipment operation 

Basic servicing 

Carry out servicing to Manufacturer schedules; check lists and technical specifications - across range of Welding, Heating and Cutting equipment 

Dispose of waste materials according to employer environmental waste disposal procedures 

Fault diagnosis 

Successfully diagnose common faults and be able to fault find on actual machinery including fuel; ignition faults; electrical and gas supply systems 

Repairs 

Describe hazards and controls to be used for conducting repairs; What components can be repaired or replaced without return to manufacturer’s agent  

Carry out basic repairs across a range of Welding, Heating and Cutting equipment 

Record keeping  

Know what records need to be completed, how and when. 

Complete records for practical repair work carried out above 

Legislation  

Describe employer’s duty under Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work Act  

Additional information about this standard 

Useful guidance on starting/stopping/use of welding, heating and cutting equipment is available in HAE Safety Guidance notes: 

Electricity, Welding & Lighting 

  • 1000   Portable appliance testing - guidance 
  • 1001   Cable reels - extension cables 
  • 1002   Transformers - site - 3phase & single 
  • 1003   Transformers - portable 230v 
  • 1004   RCD - residual current devices 
  • 1006   Arc welder - 2 stroke petrol  
  • 1007   Arc welder - 4 stroke petrol 
  • 1008   Arc welder - diesel  
  • 1009   Arc Welder - 230v  
  • 1010   Arc welder - 415v 3 phase 
  • 1011   MIG Welder - 230v 
  • 1012   Plasma cutter - 230v  
  • 1015   Generators - small 230v systems  
  • 1017   Gas welder  

Heating, ventilation & air conditioning 

  • 1301   Fan - 110/230v 
  • 1302   Fan heater - 110/230v 
  • 1303   Forced air heater - propane  
  • 1304   Forced air heater - paraffin 
  • 1306   Radiant heater - propane  
  • 1307   Cabinet heater - butane 
  • 1310   Radiant heater - 110/230v 
  • 1312   Air conditioner - 110/230v 
  • 1313   Dehumidifier 110/230v 
  • 1314   Air cooler - evaporative 
  • 1315   Fume extractor  

Cutting, grinding & sanding - metal & wood 

  • 0401   Angle grinder - 110/230v 
  • 0403   Abrasive wheels 
  • 0404   Power Plane - 110/230v 
  • 0407   Sander - belt - 110/230v 
  • 0408   Sander - orbital - 110/230v 
  • 0410   Floor sander - 110/230v 
  • 0411   Edge sander - 110/230v 
  • 0412   Router - 110/230v 
  • 0414   Nibbler - 110/230v  
  • 0415   Shears - 110/230v  
  • 0418   Biscuit joiner  
  • 0421   Cordless angle grinder.

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