CPCS A58 Excavator 360° Below 10 Tonnes (Wheeled & Tracked)

Course Overview

The CPCS A58 Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes (Wheeled & Tracked) course provides operators with the essential skills needed to use compact tracked and wheeled excavators safely and efficiently. It covers machine preparation, pre-operational checks, safe manoeuvring, excavation techniques, and load handling in line with site and legislative requirements.

This CPCS A58 excavator 360° below 10 tonnes course is suitable for people working in utilities, groundwork, landscaping, and other sectors where smaller 360° excavators are used for digging, grading, loading, and reinstatement tasks. Training focuses on safe operation in typical site conditions, including restricted areas and varied terrain.

Who is this course for?

This CPCS A58 Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes course is intended for personnel who are required to operate compact wheeled or tracked 360° excavators as part of their role. It is ideal for:

• Groundworkers and site operatives carrying out excavation and reinstatement tasks
• Plant operators who need formal CPCS training for compact 360° excavators
• Utilities and civils operatives working in confined or restricted areas
• Landscapers and construction workers using small excavators for digging, grading, and loading

The course is suitable for both novice and experienced candidates, and the most appropriate CPCS route will be based on the delegate’s existing knowledge and practical experience.

What you will learn

By the end of the CPCS A58 Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes course, delegates will:

• Understand key health, safety, and legislative requirements for operating a 360° excavator
• Identify common site hazards and apply safe working practices
• Recognise and explain major machine components, controls, systems, and protective structures, including ROPS and FOPS
• Carry out all required pre-operational and running checks following manufacturer and legal requirements
• Use the correct PPE and safety equipment and understand when additional protection is required
• Mount and dismount the machine safely using recognised access and egress procedures
• Prepare the excavator for travel, including visibility checks, restraint use and system configuration
• Travel and manoeuvre safely over varying terrain, slopes, and site conditions while maintaining machine stability
• Operate safely in restricted or confined spaces, applying exclusion zones and movement limits where required
• Attach and remove buckets and attachments safely, including the correct use of quick-hitch systems
• Conduct work area safety checks, including checks for ground conditions, overhead and underground services, and nearby hazards
• Configure the machine for excavating and loading operations based on specification, site markings, and working radius
• Excavate different ground types to specified dimensions and tolerances using appropriate techniques
• Load transport vehicles safely and efficiently while maintaining visibility, stability and communication
• Reinstate excavations by grading, spreading and levelling materials to the required standard
• Apply environmental good practice, including emissions reduction, pollution prevention, and waste management
• Follow safe procedures for loading, unloading, and securing the excavator for transport
• Perform end of work shut down, parking, isolation, and security procedures correctly

Practical exercises reflect typical site conditions where possible, giving delegates the chance to apply the theory under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Assessment and certification

For successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end-of-course practical assessment and knowledge test with clear pass or fail criteria set out by the CPCS scheme. The assessments check that delegates can operate the excavator safely, carry out the required tasks to the expected standard and demonstrate a sound understanding of site safety and machine operation.

On successful completion of the required CPCS technical tests, delegates can apply for the appropriate CPCS A58 card in line with current CPCS scheme rules.

Entry requirements and additional information

To attend this course, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, in good physical health and able to meet the demands of practical training, including climbing on and off the plant and working outdoors in typical site conditions. An adequate level of spoken and written English is required to fully engage with the course content and assessments. There are no formal qualification requirements, although any previous exposure to plant or construction work will be beneficial.

This course can also be delivered as a COTS-accredited in-house course. In-house training can be provided either at the COTS Training centre or at customer premises, where suitable facilities and the appropriate excavator are available. In-house training is not tied to an external awarding body syllabus, which gives COTS greater flexibility to tailor the content, examples, and emphasis to the customer’s site layout, machinery, and operating requirements.

Candidates will follow either the Novice or Experienced route, depending on their background:

• Novice route: For candidates who do not hold a current industry-recognised card in this category and/or have limited or no demonstrable practical experience of operating this category of plant in a construction environment. Previous site experience and a basic knowledge of construction terminology are beneficial but not essential.
• Experienced route: For candidates who hold a current industry-recognised red card in a relevant category or have equivalent experience. The trainer will complete an initial assessment and documented profiling to confirm suitability for the experienced route based on the candidate’s knowledge and skills.

Candidates wishing to obtain or renew a CPCS card must also meet any current CPCS scheme requirements, which may include holding a valid CITB Health, Safety, and Environment test. COTS can advise on the latest requirements at the time of booking.

PPE requirements

For the practical session, delegates must wear suitable personal protective equipment. This includes:

• Safety footwear
• Suitable work clothing
• Hard hat
• High-visibility vest or jacket
• Any additional PPE required by the site risk assessment or company rules

Any extra or site-specific PPE requirements will be confirmed before the course date.

Why choose COTS Training for CPCS A58 excavator 360° below 10 tonnes training?

Choosing COTS for CPCS A58 excavator 360° below 10 tonnes training means delegates are taught by instructors who understand both the CPCS scheme and the realities of operating compact excavators on busy sites. Training is delivered in a clear and supportive way, with time set aside for questions, discussion, and practical exercises.

By the end of the course, the aim is that every delegate is confident in carrying out pre-use checks, operating the excavator safely, completing excavation and loading tasks accurately, and working in line with site rules and best practice.

CPCS A58 Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes course FAQs