STAGE 3 COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT

CONTENTS
 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STAGE 3 COMPETENCE
ASSESSMENT
 TARGET GROUP FOR STAGE 3 COMPETENCE
ASSESSMENT
 CANDIDATE PRE-REQUISITES FOR STAGE 3 COMPETENCE
ASSESSMENT
 PHYSICAL AND STRESSFUL DEMANDS OF STAGE 3
COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT
 CANDIDATE STAGE 3 ASSESSMENT
 DURATION AND TIMING OF STAGE 3 COMPETENCE
ASSESSMENT
 LOCATION OF ASSESSMENT
INTRODUCTION
Industry requested that OPITO develop a robust and auditable
minimum standard for training and competence assessment for the
role of the Rigger. A rigger uses fixed and portable lifting equipment
and accessories to locate loads to a position to allow final installation
or fixing, or move loads to a position where they are accessible to a
crane.

The Rigger’s route to competence certification and re-assessment is

comprised of four key stages.
The four key stages are:

Stage 1: The Initial Training Programme

Delegates successfully completing the Initial Training Programme will
be awarded an OPITO Stage 1 Training certificate; this entitles the
delegate to progress to Stage 2: supervised workplace experience.
Stage 2: Supervised workplace experience.
Stage 2 specifies the series of supervised tasks which the candidate
will be require to complete in order to gain relevant experience in the
workplace.
Stage 3: Competence assessment
Stage 3 specifies the assessment process and criteria for the
candidate to demonstrate competence in the Rigger role.
Successful candidates will be awarded an OPITO certificate of
competence.
STAGE 3 COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT
Aim and Objectives of Stage 3 Competence Assessment
The aim and objectives of the OPITO Stage 3 competence
assessment are to establish that the candidate has the required
underpinning knowledge, understanding and practical skills to fulfill the
role of Rigger safely and effectively.

Target Group for Stage 3 Competence Assessment

The Target group for Stage 3 are personnel that wish to become
OPITO-certified competent riggers - having successfully completed the
OPITO Stages 1 & 2 Rigger Training and Workplace Experience, or
possess sufficient and relevant work experience to be eligible for the
OPITO Stage 3 assessment.

Candidate pre-requisites for Stage 3 Competence Assessment

Candidates for Stage 3 Rigger assessment require:
(a) A valid OPITO-approved Stage 1 Rigger Training Certificate
And
(b) A fully completed, based on the OPITO Stage 2 Rigger Certificate.
Physical and stressful demands of Stage 3 Competence
Assessment
Training and/or assessment activities contained within this Standard
may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements.
All personnel who participate in such activities must be physically and
mentally capable of participating fully.
Assessment Outcomes of Stage 3 Competence Assessment
The assessment outcomes of Stage 3 are specified in the Performance
and Underpinning Knowledge and Understanding and the successful
completion of the written Knowledge Assessment test.

Stage 3 Assessment is comprised of two parts:

1. Knowledge assessment
Practical assessment
The Knowledge Assessment comprises a written test of which the
pass mark is 80%.
Note: The candidate can be supported verbally with the understanding
of the questions (without leading the candidate) by the Assessor or
Invigilator, but the written test must be a ‘closed book’
format.
The Stage 3 certificate will only be awarded if the candidate
successfully completes both the Knowledge Assessment and the
Practical assessment.
The successful candidate i.e. the candidate that fully meets the
knowledge and practical assessment standard will then be deemed
competent to undertake Rigger operations in the workplace.

Assessor/Candidate Ratio
The maximum number of candidates undertaking the practical
assessment is 4
The minimum number of candidates undertaking the practical
assessment is 2
The assessor-to-candidate ratio is 1:1 (this refers to the fact that that
even though four candidates may be assessed within the group of
candidates, the assessor can only fully assess one candidate at a
time)

Duration and timing of Stage 3 Competence Assessment

The candidates will be expected to carry out two rigging and lifting
operations for their
assessment, where they will be expected to lead the rigging and lifting
operations.
Candidates will also be expected to assist other candidates with
rigging and lifting operations.

The expected timings are:

1.5 hours per rigging and lifting operation
1.5 hours allowed for the written test.