Suspended loads with a telehandler remain a grey area on many UK sites. The question that keeps coming up at inductions and lift briefings is simple: if you’re going to lift with a hook or sling beneath the boom, do you need the telehandler suspended loads endorsement often referred to as A17e? The short answer is that most principal contractors now expect a specific suspended loads addition to your telehandler ticket or equivalent training, plus a suitable plan, before they’ll authorise you to lift anything that’s slung.
TL;DR
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– If a load hangs beneath the boom or forks and can swing, it’s a suspended lift and different controls apply.
– Many UK sites expect a telehandler suspended loads endorsement (often called A17e) or NPORS equivalent.
– You’ll still need a slinger/signaller, a simple lift plan, and in-date lifting gear with clear tags.
– Don’t improvise hooks under forks; use manufacturer-approved attachments and derate appropriately.
– Keep exclusion zones tight, use tag lines, and avoid travelling with suspended loads unless planned.
Four myths about telehandlers and suspended loads
# Myth: “My standard telehandler ticket lets me sling a load if I’m careful.”
/> Reality: A basic telehandler ticket focuses on forks work, palletised loads and routine placement. Slinging beneath the boom brings different dynamics and knowledge, so most sites require the suspended loads endorsement (commonly referred to as A17e on CPCS) or an equivalent NPORS addition, alongside site authorisation.
# Myth: “It’s not really ‘suspended’ if I’m only moving it a few metres.”
/> Reality: Suspended means the load hangs and can swing, not how far you travel. The pendulum effect and side loading can catch out even a short lift, so the same competence, planning and controls apply whether it’s two metres or twenty.
# Myth: “A rated hook under the forks makes it fine.”
/> Reality: The attachment and configuration must be approved for the machine, used within the load chart and set up correctly. Improvised hooks or chains around forks are not acceptable; you need a manufacturer-approved hook or jib attachment, correct deration, and clear identification of lifting points.
# Myth: “You only need a slinger/signaller if it’s blind.”
/> Reality: A competent slinger/signaller adds control for rigging, tag lines, and keeping people out of the arc, even when the operator has line of sight. Many contractors insist on a separate slinger/signaller for suspended loads to manage risks while the operator focuses on the machine.
What to do instead
The practical route is straightforward. If your telehandler work will include slung loads, get the suspended loads endorsement added to your card or take an equivalent NPORS route with documented training. Make sure your familiarisation covers the actual attachments on your job, including hook blocks, jibs and any quick-hitch setup. Then lock in a simple, repeatable system: a lift plan proportionate to the task, a competent slinger/signaller, and an exclusion zone that no one drifts into when the load is in the air.
Suspended lifts don’t have to be complex, but they do need forethought. Check the machine’s chart for lifting from the hook/jib point, not from forks. Keep booms as retracted as practicable, loads close to the ground when travelling, and speeds low. Use tag lines to control swing. Keep an eye on wind and ground conditions; gusts, cambers and soft spots make suspended loads lively. Finally, make sure the attachment and lifting gear have in-date examination and legible tags, and that communications between operator and signaller are agreed before wheels roll.
# Site scenario: heavy skies over a tight block
A brick-and-block refurbishment in a Victorian mill yard has a standard telehandler supporting multiple trades. The foreman wants a pack of steel lintels moved from a storage cage onto a scaffold loading bay; the pieces are too long for pallets, so the plan is to sling them with a hook attachment. It’s drizzling and gusty, with site logistics already squeezed by deliveries. The operator has a telehandler ticket but no suspended loads endorsement, and the labourer acting as banksman hasn’t slung a load for months. First lift goes light on the plan: the rigging is rushed, the tag line is forgotten, and the load starts to swing as the boom extends. The operator arrests the swing, but the exclusion zone has drifted and a carpenter wanders too close. Work pauses. The supervisor resets the job: competent slinger/signaller takes over, quick toolbox talk, tag line fitted, travel route cleared, and the lift is completed without drama.
# Pre-lift essentials checklist
– Verify operator competence for suspended loads and authorisation for the attachment in use.
– Confirm slinger/signaller competence and agreed hand signals or radios.
– Check machine load chart for the hook/jib point, including boom extensions and any deration.
– Inspect attachment and lifting gear for in-date examination, visible ID tags, and obvious damage.
– Establish and maintain an exclusion zone; brief all nearby trades and secure the travel route.
– Consider wind, ground, gradients and visibility; keep boom low when travelling and use tag lines.
– Record a proportionate lift plan and brief the team; stop if conditions change or controls aren’t in place.
# Common mistakes
– Treating a slung “quick pick” like pallet work and skipping a lift brief. A two-minute chat saves ten minutes of firefighting.
– Hooking under forks with makeshift gear. Use only approved attachments and rig to known points.
– Ignoring the load chart from the hook position. Capacities change dramatically with boom extension and angle.
– Travelling with the load higher than necessary. Keep it low and steady, or set it down and reposition.
What to watch next
Expect more clients to standardise their rules: suspended loads with a telehandler require the specific endorsement plus a slinger/signaller, even for routine lifts. Attachment use is also under closer scrutiny, with site teams checking tags, hitch pins and quick-hitch locking as part of pre-use checks.
Rotating telehandlers and multi-attachment machines blur boundaries between lifting and materials handling; ensure your card and familiarisation actually match the kit you’re using. Competence drift is real—if you don’t sling often, build in refreshers and supervised practice before the next pressured lift window. Bottom line: treating suspended loads as “just another pick” is how incidents start; treat them as lifting operations and the controls become obvious.
FAQ
# Do I need a suspended loads endorsement to lift a slung load a short distance?
/> If the load hangs beneath the boom or forks, most sites treat it as a suspended lift regardless of distance. Many will expect the telehandler suspended loads endorsement (often called A17e) or an equivalent NPORS addition before authorising the task. Always check your employer’s policy and the principal contractor’s site rules.
# Can I do suspended lifts without a separate slinger/signaller if I can see the load?
/> Some simple lifts with full visibility can be done safely, but many contractors still require a dedicated slinger/signaller for suspended loads. A second competent person manages rigging, exclusion zones and tag lines while you focus on the machine. If you’re expected to combine roles, make sure you’re trained and the lift plan allows it.
# What will an assessor generally look for on a suspended loads practical?
/> Assessors typically expect clear pre-use checks, correct attachment fitting, and understanding of the load chart for the hook/jib point. They’ll watch your communication with the signaller, control of swing using tag lines, and steady boom movements. Setting down safely, parking correctly, and shutting down to site standards all matter.
# How can I prove I’m competent if I learned suspended loads on the job years ago?
/> Bring evidence: your card with the relevant endorsement, training records, any recent familiarisation, and supervisor sign-offs. If your experience is dated or rarely used, a refresher and a short assessment are sensible. Keep a simple log of recent suspended lifts to show current practice.
# How often should I refresh training for telehandler suspended loads?
/> There’s no single rule that fits every site, but many employers plan periodic refreshers, especially if the task isn’t frequent. Toolbox talks, supervised practice, and brief re-assessment after long gaps help prevent competence drift. Follow your employer’s training matrix and any client-specific requirements.
