Banksman Training

Also known as Traffic Marshal Training

Duration 2 hours

Last audited 12th September 2023

City & Guilds Assured CPD Approved RoSPA Approved IIRSM Approved
Banksman Training
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Pay by invoice with 30 day payment terms available (5+ courses)

£30 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

This Banksman Training course is an awareness level course that helps learners understand how to fulfil their role of supporting safe vehicle and mobile plant operations. It is suitable for banksmen in a range of industries and for various types of vehicle and mobile plant operations.

The course covers key areas of a banksman's role, including helping to maintain the control measures put in place by their employer, effectively instructing and guiding drivers and operators when other controls are not sufficient for reducing the risks, and keeping the work area free from pedestrians and others who may be harmed. It explains how to use the signals set out in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, which banksmen commonly use to help direct drivers and operators. Illustrations, videos, and animations are used to teach learners the hand signals, so they can see them in action.

Note that the course is designed to support practical, work activity and work environment specific training that banksmen must receive beyond this course. It can also act as a refresher for those who have already received practical training. This course does not include an ID card.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Assessment retakes at no extra cost

Written in compliance with UK legislation and guidance

Developed by health and safety professionals

City & Guilds Assured

Accredited by CPD, assured by RoSPA Qualification and approved by IIRSM

Bulk discount for orders of 10+ courses

What you'll learn

Upon completion of the course, learners will understand:

  • The role of banksmen in the safe guidance of vehicles and mobile plant.
  • The relevant legislation and guidance for safe vehicle operations.
  • The duties that employers have regarding the safe management of vehicles and mobile plant, and how banksmen can play an important part in the control measures for safe vehicle operations.
  • How to prepare for being a banksman. This includes receiving work-specific training in the safe systems of work, including onsite areas and operations of vehicles.
  • How to fulfil their banksman role safely. This includes safe positioning, use of any aids for visibility (e.g. cameras or mirrors), use of PPE (like high visibility vests and safety helmets), and use of any other equipment (e.g. radios).
  • How banksmen should effectively coordinate with and guide the drivers or operators of vehicles and mobile plant. This includes establishing a consistent and agreed system of signalling and method of communication.
  • The visual and verbal signals that banksmen may use to guide drivers during operations, as set out by the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

Training you can trust

Course in action

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: Introduction to Banksman Training

Legal responsibilities, Health and Safety Executive guidance, what is the role of a banksman?, training requirements, and key rules for banksmen when directing vehicles and mobile plant.

Module 2: Safe Management of Vehicles and Mobile Plant

Legal responsibilities of employers, risk assessment for vehicles and mobile plant, and vehicle site control measures: traffic routes, temporary traffic routes, pedestrian routes, reversing, traffic calming, speed limits, visibility and lighting, further controls, and safe design.

Module 3: Communication and Signals

Why are planning and communications for vehicle movements important?, preparations with drivers and mobile plant operators, how to prepare with the driver, the banksman hand and verbal signals, using the banksman hand signals, and the banksman hand signals in action.

Module 4: Training, Visibility Aids, and PPE

Training in safe systems of work, duty of care to new banksmen, employee competence, use of visibility aids and audible alarms, verbal signals and radio systems, personal protective equipment (PPE), high visibility clothing, protective equipment for the head, and weather protection.

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.

Our Banksman Training course is aimed at anyone who'll be fulfilling the role of a banksman for work activities involving vehicles and mobile plant. For example, helping to guide excavators on a construction site, lorries in a lorry park, forwarders in forestry work, etc. It is not specific to any one work environment or type of vehicle or mobile plant, so is suitable for banksmen no matter what industry they work in. The course will help the learner understand what their role entails, including how to effectively and safely guide drivers and operators during manoeuvres using a signalling system.

No previous training is required before undertaking this course, but it is not a replacement for practical training, which is required beyond the course. Practical training is vital for a banksman to be fully competent to fulfil their role in the specific work environment and for the work activities they're involved in. The course can, however, act as a refresher for those who have already received practical training.

To help banksmen understand the wider scope of their role, the course explains what should be covered in the practical training they need to receive for their specific work activities and work environment. With this guidance, they'll know what to expect from further training, or will recognise what their training should have already covered. This in turn will ensure they are as confident and prepared as possible for their role.

Written by experts

Profile photo of Neil Murray

In partnership with

Neil Murray

Health and Safety Consultant

Neil Murray is a vastly experienced and highly qualified health and safety professional who has held roles such as Senior Health and Safety Executive inspector,  and Principal Inspector for Channel Tunnel construction. He has also held senior roles in an international infrastructure business, a major UK water utility company and a major construction group and provided management consultancy to numerous companies across a wide range of industries. 

Neil has a wide expertise in many sectors, including construction, civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, water and waste utilities, education, heritage sites, public safety, rail construction and operation, transport, marine, waste management, engineering design and industrial and facilities management services. 

Neil is a QSA auditor for RoSPA and also an author of published guidance on health and safety in the construction of the Channel Tunnel, work at height, major project management, and online training courses.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course suitable for slinger-signallers?

No, this course is not suitable for slinger-signallers who are involved in lifting and lowering operations, as specific training is needed to fulfil a slinger-signaller role. This specific training is beyond the scope of our course.


Does the course teach learners about directing public vehicles and traffic on public roads?

The course does not cover normal traffic moving on public roads, because road traffic laws cover traffic safety in more detail than general health and safety law. The course does, however, cover where public roads are used as temporary workplaces. Examples of this would be during roadside deliveries, road works, or breakdown assistance.


Does this course include an ID card?

No, an ID card is not included with this training course.


Course reviews