Suspended loads with telehandlers cause more head‑scratching than most plant tasks. Add wind, tight logistics and a busy site, and the difference between a safe, planned lift and a near‑miss is often the operator’s ticket and the team’s discipline. In the UK, the CPCS split between A17E and A77 has sharpened the line between “occasional suspended load on a rigid telehandler” and “crane‑like work on a 360‑slew machine.” Getting the right category on the card matters for competence, insurance and what you’re actually allowed to do on site.
TL;DR
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– A17E is an endorsement for rigid telehandlers to carry out basic suspended‑load lifts using a hook or jib; A77 is for 360‑slew telehandlers working more like small cranes.
– If it slews and runs on duty charts with stabilisers and a winch, think A77; if it’s a standard rigid telehandler with a certified hook/jib for short, planned lifts, think A17E.
– Both require a planned lift, the right attachment, a trained signaller, exclusion zones and checks on wind, ground and load.
– Travel with a suspended load is strictly controlled: only if the maker permits, route is prepared, and the plan says so.
– Check your card and site requirements; NPORS has equivalent options, but clients may specify category and endorsement explicitly.
Suspended loads on telehandlers: the competence picture
/> A suspended load is anything hanging from a hook, winch or jib rather than supported on the forks. It behaves like a pendulum, so small movements, wind and braking can create swing. That means you need a proportionate lift plan, a competent signaller on standard signals or radio, an exclusion zone and clear communication with the operator. Pre‑use checks extend beyond the machine to attachments, hooks, slings and the lifting point on the load. Weather and ground conditions aren’t “nice to know” extras; they’re the difference between a controlled lift and a runaway swing.
On UK sites the expectation is simple: if you’re lifting it on a hook, you’re doing a lifting operation. That brings planning, suitable accessories with certification, and supervision. The paperwork doesn’t need to be a novel, but it does need to be real and followed.
A17E – rigid telehandlers, short lifts with a hook or jib
/> A17E is an endorsement added to a standard telehandler category to cover suspended loads. It’s aimed at rigid telehandlers using a manufacturer‑approved hook, jib or third‑party accessory that’s been correctly installed and inspected. Think lifting a rebar cage off a wagon, placing a manhole ring, or moving a prefabricated frame a short distance under control.
Day‑to‑day, the operator is expected to keep boom length and radius conservative, set the machine square and level, and use a signaller to control the lift. Travel with a suspended load is only on prepared routes and only if the maker explicitly permits it; speed stays walking‑pace with the load kept low and tag lines in place. Load charts for hooks or jibs must be understood and applied; fork charts don’t apply to a hook. If the lift starts to get “crane‑like” in complexity, stop and review whether A77 competence (and a different machine) is actually needed.
A77 – 360‑slew telehandlers working like small cranes
/> A77 is for rotating telehandlers with 360‑degree slew capability, stabilisers/outriggers and duty charts. These machines often use a winch or hoist and are set up more like a mini crane than a fork‑truck. The job usually involves reading and setting the rated capacity indicator for the configuration, deploying stabilisers on mats, levelling the chassis and positioning to maintain radius and clearance.
Because the superstructure slews, the risks change: tail‑swing, slew restrictions, and dynamic effects across the charted working area come into play. Pick‑and‑carry may be limited or prohibited depending on the machine and plan. Expect closer involvement from a lift planner, tighter exclusion, and more structured communication, often on radio, especially when the operator’s view is lost during slew.
Choosing the right category for the job
/> If most of the work is pallet forks with the odd slung load off a certified hook, A17E suits. If the programme needs regular suspended lifts, accurate placement at reach, and full slew on stabilisers, you’re into A77 territory. Supervisors should check cards for the exact category and endorsement, and confirm that the attachment in use matches the operator’s competence. NPORS offers equivalent routes, but clients and principal contractors may specify CPCS categories, so confirm before the machine lands. When in doubt, escalate early; the cheapest time to fix the wrong ticket is before the first lift.
On‑site scenario: a live suspended‑load problem
/> A housing site in the Midlands needs three concrete manhole rings moved from a delivery wagon to prepped bases. It’s gusting wind, the access road is narrow, and the footpath diversion runs right past the laydown. The only machine on hand is a 14‑metre rigid telehandler fitted with a certified hook. The supervisor has an A17E operator, a slinger/signaller and basic lifting gear, but no 360‑slew telehandler available. They create a short, segregated route, put barrier tape and a gateman on the footpath corner, and agree standard hand signals. The operator keeps the boom retracted, uses two tag lines to control swing, halts when a gust hits, and completes each set with the load kept low. The lift logs are signed off, and the team notes that a 360‑slew would speed future ring placements where access is tighter.
Checklist: setting up a suspended‑load lift with a telehandler
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– Confirm operator category on the card matches the machine and task (A17 with E for rigid hooks/jibs; A77 for 360‑slew).
– Verify attachment suitability, condition and certification; check slings, shackles and hooks for compatibility and defects.
– Review the lift plan: load weight and centre of gravity, radius, boom length, ground bearing, weather limits and communication method.
– Establish and brief the exclusion zone and safe route; appoint one signaller with agreed signals/radio checks.
– Set the machine level and stable; deploy stabilisers/mats where fitted and required; configure RCI on 360‑slew machines.
– Use tag lines to control swing; make a test lift to check balance and brake response.
– Only travel with a suspended load if specifically permitted and planned; keep speed low, boom retracted and route clear.
# Common mistakes
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– Assuming fork load charts apply to a hook or jib. They don’t; use the correct chart for the attachment.
– Travelling with a suspended load because “it’s only a few metres” without maker permission and a cleared, prepared route.
– Letting anyone but the appointed signaller give instructions. Mixed signals lead to swing and strikes.
– Ignoring wind on light, high‑surface‑area loads. Gusts can turn a routine pick into an uncontrollable pendulum.
Training and assessment reality
/> Initial training for A17E is typically an add‑on for those already competent on rigid telehandlers, focusing on slung‑load risks, attachments and communication. A77 is a step‑up with more theory around duty charts, stabilisers and crane‑style set‑up, plus practicals that mirror real slew and winch work. Assessors generally look for safe systems: thorough pre‑use checks including the attachment, methodical set‑up, correct signal use, slow, smooth control and situational awareness. If you’ve been away from suspended loads for a while, refresher or re‑familiarisation in a training yard helps arrest competence drift before an assessment or a live lift.
Paperwork, planning and supervision that stand up
/> Keep the lift plan proportionate but specific: state the machine, attachment, load details, route, roles and limits such as wind. Ensure lifting accessories and the hook/jib have current inspection records and are compatible with the load’s lifting points. Nominate one signaller and brief the area; barriers and spotters are cheap compared to an impact. Supervisors should record pre‑lift briefs, monitor the first lift, and pause the operation if conditions change.
The bottom line: match the category to the task, run a real plan, and don’t fudge travel with a suspended load. Next on the radar is how mixed fleets handle duty charts and attachment swaps without losing control of competence.
FAQ
# Do I need A17E to use a hook on a rigid telehandler?
/> If you’re lifting on a hook or jib with a rigid telehandler, you should have suspended‑load competence to do so safely. On CPCS cards that’s typically the A17E endorsement alongside your main A17 category. Sites and insurers increasingly expect to see that endorsement where hooks and slings are in use. If in doubt, confirm with the principal contractor before starting.
# When is A77 required instead of A17E?
/> If the telehandler is a 360‑slew model working on stabilisers with duty charts and crane‑style lifts, A77 is the appropriate category. These machines behave more like cranes than forklifts, with extra setup and control features to manage slew and radius. Even simple picks can be more complex due to tail‑swing and configuration settings. Treat them as lifting appliances, not just big telehandlers.
# Can I travel with a suspended load on a telehandler?
/> Only if the manufacturer permits it and the lift plan specifically allows it. The route must be prepared and segregated, the load kept low, and speeds walking‑pace with tag lines to control swing. Many rotating telehandlers are set up for static lifting rather than pick‑and‑carry. Never “just creep” across a live site without explicit permission and controls.
# What do assessors generally look for on suspended‑load tests?
/> They expect systematic pre‑use checks of the machine and attachments, correct identification of load and lifting points, and proper sling selection. Communication and control are key: clear signals, stable set‑up, smooth hydraulics and stopping the job when conditions or instructions aren’t right. Reading and applying load/duty charts at the planned radius is typical on 360‑slew assessments. Unsafe travel, poor signalling and ignoring wind are common fail points.
# How should I keep my suspended‑load competence current?
/> Keep evidence of recent, relevant lifts, toolbox talks and any refresher training. If you haven’t carried out suspended‑load work for a while, book familiarisation in a training yard and get supervised practice before returning to live tasks. Review lift plans, signals and accessory checks regularly with your signaller. Short, focused refreshers prevent bad habits taking root.
