On every construction site, you’ll find someone working as the spotter. Contrary to your initial thoughts, the ‘spotter’ has nothing to do with bird-watching, plane-watching or train-spotting. In fact, the job description is a lot more serious than that.
In this post, we’ll explain why spotting is such an essential role in every worksite, and what you can do to become a spotter too.
Workplace spotting explained
Workplace spotting involves safely guiding and assisting machine operators who are working closely to overhead and underground service assets. If you’ve got experience in operating trucks, excavators, forklifts and other machinery, you may wish to advance your skills and become a workplace spotter.
What are workplace spotters trained in?
There’s more to the job of workplace spotting than simply watching someone else do the work. Workplace spotters in construction are highly trained and competent in performing the following tasks:
- The design envelopes for the equipment/plant being used
- The operation and uses of the equipment/plant being used
- The hazards posed by overhead and underground assets
Importance of spotting on the worksite
Construction spotting is essential for a number of reasons. It ensures that the machine operator is performing the task correctly and safely.
- They’re a pair of eyes when vision is low
Spotting is especially essential when, let’s say, a crane operator has a lower level of vision than usual. Having a spotter there to overlook the task ensures that there is always an extra set of eyes, guiding and supervising the high-risk level of work.
- They overlook safety operations as a whole
With any form of high-risk work, safety can never be taken too seriously. Worksite spotters are there to uphold high levels of safety and to prevent incidents and accidents.
What qualifications are required?
If you’ve got some experience on the site and want to become a spotter, then you’ll need to complete a unit of study to do so. Spotting licences usually only take one full day to complete, making them a worthwhile and valuable investment that increases your desirability as a team member on the construction site.
Requirements of training to be a spotter
You need to be at least 18 years old to undertake a workplace spotting course. You also need to hold a certificate of competence in the plant you intend to spot for. A dogging ticket, for example, allows you to spot for all plant and equipment types on the construction site.
Choose Construction Training International (CTI) for your spotting licence
CTI are your team of choice for all types of construction training. Offering a high-energy, informative and fun workplace spotting course, CTI will get you trained up as a highly capable workplace spotter. Check out their affordable courses in construction and get in touch with their team to enrol.
