On many UK jobs, the excavator ends up doubling as a crane. That’s when the card in your pocket starts to matter. Site managers increasingly ask whether the operator needs CPCS A77 or an A59 with a lifting operations endorsement (often called A59C), or an NPORS equivalent. The answer isn’t the same on every project. What matters is proving competence for the specific lifting task, then running a disciplined lift under a workable plan with the right support on the ground.
TL;DR
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– Clarify the client’s card requirement early; some will only accept the dedicated excavator lifting category.
– Treat excavator lifting as a planned lift with a competent plan, signaller, and supervisor.
– Use the machine’s lifting mode, the correct load chart, rated lifting points and certificated accessories.
– Keep people out, brief communications, and stop if the plan or conditions change.
Four myths that keep creeping onto sites
# Myth: “Any A59 covers lifting — end of.”
/> Reality: A standard excavator ticket proves digging competence, not lifting. Many contractors expect an excavator category with a lifting operations endorsement, or the dedicated lifting category (such as CPCS A77), and will check the CSCS-logoed card to confirm.
# Myth: “A77 is only for big, complex crane jobs.”
/> Reality: The dedicated excavator lifting category is often required where the excavator is used primarily for lifting, even on routine loads like manhole rings or rebar mats. Acceptance varies by client; some will accept an A59 with lifting ops endorsement for straightforward lifts, others insist on the dedicated category for any planned lifting.
# Myth: “NPORS isn’t accepted for lifting with diggers.”
/> Reality: Plenty of UK sites accept NPORS excavator with a lifting operations endorsement, provided company policy allows and evidence of competence is clear. The detail is always in the pre-start paperwork and the client’s card policy, not in gatehouse gossip.
# Myth: “If the machine can pick it up, the paperwork will follow.”
/> Reality: That thinking is what gets teams into trouble. The lift must be planned, accessories certificated, and the machine set in lifting mode with the correct duty chart verified. A signaller/banksman and competent supervisor should be in place, with an exclusion zone maintained.
Site scenario: housing plot lift in poor weather
/> A 21-tonne tracked excavator is feeding a drainage crew on a tight estate road. Manhole rings are stacked two bays away; the only access is along a pedestrian route barriered to one side, with vans squeezing through at breaks. Light rain turns to gusty showers, and the ground near the stack is soft. The operator holds an A59 with a lifting ops endorsement; the principal contractor’s policy says A77 or equivalent is preferred for planned lifts. The site engineer requests a quick lift plan, but the supervisor is juggling a concrete wagon at the same time. A basic brief happens at the tailgate, yet no one checks the duty chart against the longest radius. The first test lift swings close to the barrier, with pedestrians nearby sheltering under scaffolds.
Quick on-site checklist: excavator lifting set-up
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– Confirm the accepted operator category with the contractor (A77 or A59 with lifting ops, or NPORS equivalent) before mobilisation.
– Produce a lift plan proportionate to the task; set roles (operator, signaller, supervisor) and communications.
– Inspect the machine: lifting mode active, rated lifting eye fitted (no lifting off bucket teeth), quick hitch locked and permitted for lifting by the manufacturer.
– Verify load weight and radius; read the correct duty chart; account for any attachments left on the machine.
– Check ground conditions; level and, if needed, use mats or plates. For wheeled machines, use stabilisers/outriggers as per the manual.
– Inspect slings, chains, shackles and hooks; check identification and in-date certifications; reject anything suspect.
– Establish a clear exclusion zone and safe route; brief signals or radios; run a test lift and stop if anything doesn’t match the plan.
Pitfalls and fixes
# Common mistakes
/> Treating “routine” picks as unplanned. Even simple lifts need a plan, a competent signaller, and communication agreed.
Lifting from a bucket tooth or an unrated shackle on a hitch. Only use the manufacturer-rated lifting eye or a certified hook arrangement.
Guessing the weight or radius. Use delivery notes, manufacturer data, or measured volumes; confirm the duty chart for the actual configuration and boom position.
Poor segregation and line-of-fire risks. Set and maintain barriers, spotters and stop points; stop the lift if people enter the zone.
Fixes are usually straightforward: confirm the card requirement during procurement, align the lift category with the site policy, and build a short, workable lift plan with actual weights and radii. Use a toolbox brief to fix roles and signals, and keep the exclusion zone physically controlled. If the plan changes, pause and re-brief. Competence and discipline beat speed, every time.
What to do instead
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– Nail the card requirement early: ask the principal contractor if they require the dedicated excavator lifting category or will accept an excavator with a lifting ops endorsement. Provide card screenshots from the checker if needed.
– Match competence to task risk: the more the excavator behaves like a crane (long reach, repetitive lifting, close to people/structures), the stronger the case for the dedicated lifting category and tighter supervision.
– Keep training live: initial training gets you through the test, but lifting finesse comes from mentored experience. Where there’s a gap in recent hours, arrange a short refresher or supervised return-to-lifts session to manage competence drift.
– Set the plant up right: lifting mode on, rated anchor point only, hitch use as per the manufacturer, and the correct duty chart at the ready. Don’t leave attachments on the dipper if they reduce capacity and aren’t needed.
– Control the space: clear routes in, stable pads, weather watch, and a signaller who is not doubling up on other tasks. Radios help, but hand signals agreed at the start work well on noisy sites.
What to watch next on UK sites
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– Stricter card wording in client pre-quals; some are moving to dedicated lifting categories for excavator picks as standard.
– Closer checks on quick hitches, with more sites asking for manufacturer proof that the hitch is rated for lifting.
– Accessory traceability tightening up: expect more QR-tagged sling registers or app-based inspections on principal contractor jobs.
– Technology creeping in: proximity alarms and 360 cameras help, but they don’t replace a good signaller and a clear zone.
Bottom line: whether the ticket reads A77 or A59 with lifting ops, the lift will be judged on planning, set-up and control. Get the competence right, then run the lift like a professional crane job—calm, briefed and predictable.
FAQ
# Do I need A77 if I already have A59 with a lifting operations endorsement?
/> It depends on the client and the task. Some contractors accept A59 with lifting ops for routine site lifts, others specify the dedicated excavator lifting category for any planned lifting. Check policy at tender or booking stage and evidence your competence with card checks and recent experience.
# What do assessors generally look for on an excavator lifting assessment?
/> They look for safe set-up, use of the correct lifting point, reading the duty chart, and disciplined communication with a signaller. Expect to demonstrate a controlled test lift, smooth movements, and good end placement with segregation maintained. Basic pre-use checks and accessory inspection are also expected.
# Can NPORS cover excavator lifting operations acceptably on UK sites?
/> Yes, many sites accept NPORS excavator with a lifting operations endorsement where company policy allows. Provide proof of the endorsement and any recent, relevant experience. If a client insists on a specific scheme or category, get that clarified before attending site.
# What paperwork should be in place for a simple lift with an excavator?
/> Have a proportionate lift plan naming roles, the load details, lifting accessories and the intended route and zone. Keep accessory certificates available, record pre-use checks, and brief the team on signals and stops. For higher-risk lifts, expect closer supervision and a more detailed plan.
# How often should operators refresh training for lifting with excavators?
/> There’s no single interval that fits every operator; the key is recency and maintained competence. If an operator hasn’t performed lifts for a while, arrange a refresher or supervised return to practice. Many contractors like to see recent evidence of lifting hours alongside the right card.
