Eco Operator Training

Duration

3 hours

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to support the following:

Scope:

• Why industry is tackling the reduction and elimination of carbon-based emissions through Net Zero
• What causes plant-based harmful emissions and the local, national and global effects on others
• The principles of how machine-based carbon emissions can be reduced
• Recognising the benefits of carbon emission reduction
• Applying learnt reduction techniques and operational processes that reduce carbon emissions for a range of plant types
• Recognising how emerging machine technologies can reduce or eliminate carbon emissions
• Taking personal ownership of the need to reduce emissions
• Encouraging and supporting the sector in emission reduction

Learner pre-requisites

In order to benefit fully from the training and meet the assessment criteria, a fundamental knowledge of Plant operations, terminology and techniques is necessary.

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• a verifiable CV
• Have, or have had, construction site experience, including the operation or supervision or planning of a range of common construction plant types
• Hold verifiable knowledge of the plant operations at or above the level being taught
• Hold verifiable knowledge of plant-based emissions and the effects on the environment

Delivery

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for learners to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• face to face learning environment only (such as classroom/workshop etc.)
• A mix of face to face and virtual training is acceptable provided the content is delivered in the same format as face-to-face training

This standard is predominantly theoretical training

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level

Assessment

Formally Assessed

For the successful completion of training, learners must complete an end of course knowledge test that measures all learning outcomes and has a pass criteria

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are:

• multiple choice questions

If multiple choice the following paragraph is required

Where this training is assessed using multiple-choice questions, all learning outcomes must be covered over 15 questions and learners are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 80%.

Quality assurance

Assured

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Standard classification

Lifetime (Please note standards using this classification will only be grant aided once per user)

Working group approval date

October 2024

Review cycle

On request or 60 months (5 years) from approval date. 

Learning outcomes

The learner will be able to:

Recognise the general factors that are considered causes of climate change

Delivery guidance:

• The changes, patterns and variations, both past and future, of the Earth’s climate and weather
• What is the definition and causes of global warming and the greenhouse effect
• How greenhouse, ozone, natural and human-made gasses contribute to climate change

Recognise climate change is affecting society at an international, national, local and personal level

Delivery guidance:

• The global and UK national responses to climate change and low carbon strategies
• What is the overall impact on current and future populations
• The effects of climate change on conservation, habitation and food production
• How air quality/smog etc. is defined

Recognise the aims and challenges of the Construct Zero industry initiatives

Delivery guidance:

• Why Industry has ‘net zero’ initiatives for tackling carbon reduction for engine-powered plant operations
• Why low emissions zones are being introduced and where
• How eco-operation programmes will help in meeting industry and client requirements

Identify who is affected and how through plant operations on sites and why plant operators should play their part in reducing tailpipe emissions

Delivery guidance:

• The effect of plant-based emissions on the population at national and local levels
• Societal demands and expectations and those it affects including:
  • immediate family
  • future generations
  • personal effects
  • co-workers
  • nearby residents, businesses etc.
• How localised air quality impacts urban and residential areas
• How localised air quality is affected by weather, seasons, high- and low-pressure areas and air movement

Know how internal combustion (IC) engines (diesel) convert fuel into torque, power and work

Delivery guidance:

• What constitutes a carbon-based fuel and how a how a combustible product is made
• What the component parts of an IC engine are
• How air and fuel, and the amount of fuel, creates combustion
• How the compressing, igniting and combusting of fuel creates mechanical energy
• How mechanical energy is converted and transmitted through torque into work done
• The speed ranges of an engine and where they are most efficient
• How engine torque and speed creates mechanical and hydraulic power and work done

Know what constitutes ‘tailpipe’ emissions from Internal Combustion engine plant and how they vary according to machine componentry, usage and environment

Delivery guidance:

• How the following affect tailpipe emissions:
  • Fuel quality and types
  • Engine speed and loadings
  • Engine and ambient air temperatures
  • Working efficiencies
• How heat alters unburnt fuel into gasses
• Types of constituent gasses that are exhaled from working engine inc. dioxides/oxides/hydrocarbons/other compounds
• The causes of black, white and blue smoke
• Why the workload demand of the engine affect tailpipe emissions

Identify the principles and outcomes of fuel saving management techniques and tailpipe emissions

Delivery guidance:

• Why and how minimising fuel flow into the engine combustion chamber reduces emissions
• Engine speed ranges and where high torque occurs
• Why engine ‘load’ needs controlling and how it reduces emissions
• The need to lower engine speed compared to vehicle or component movement
• The effect of power modes on efficiency and emissions

Identify how low and zero-emission equipment and types of alternative fuels can reduce emissions

Delivery guidance:

• Ways and methods of reduced tailpipe emissions such as:
  • Particulate filtration devices
  • Catalytic conversions.
  • Fuel additives
  • Higher-quality fossil fuels
  • Modern engine design e.g. stage 5
  • HVO and synthetic fuels
• What is hybrid-drive plant and how they can help lower emissions

Recognise what other types of power sources that are available for construction plant and their effectiveness and efficiency

Delivery guidance:

• The benefits of pure electric-driven equipment, the power sources and typical durations/range of operations
• How grid-supplied electricity is generated and supplied
• The differences between grid-based direct feed and battery charging supply
• Why diesel generator use should be minimised, even when no alternatives exist
• The types of generators for charging plant including:
  • variable load
  • constant-supply
  • flywheel energy-storage types
• The benefits of Battery Energy Storage Systems

Understand how effective site planning of an operation can lower local emissions

Delivery guidance:

• The factors for selecting the correct machine specification for an operation including:
  • type
  • weight
  • accessories
  • efficiency
  • adaptability
• Why and how vehicle/componentry movements should be minimised to reduce emissions
• The definition of cycles of operation for a range of machine types and how a reduction can lower emissions

Recognise the principles of using and monitoring telematic data and other technology systems to aid carbon reduction activities

Delivery guidance:

• Why telematic data is an integral part of plant management and production processes
• Types of technology systems inc. driver assist/intelligent machines/3D-machine control and apps
• The function and effectiveness of ‘On-board’ monitoring systems
• Why the measurement of engine performance, component and machine operational activities can lower emissions and fuel usage
• What level of information can be provided by onboard monitoring equipment such as:
  • machine location
  • position
  • working boundaries
  • activities
  • performance
• Why is ‘real-time’ live and historical reporting undertaken from machine to one or more data collection centres
• Why the collation, extraction and interpretation of relevant data is important to emission reduction

Understand why maintenance activities can create improvements in emissions, costs and machine life

Delivery guidance:

• How good and poor maintenance activities can have a marked effect on
  • engine efficiencies due to poor filtration and unclean fluids
  • engine wear
  • increased throttle usage to overcome inefficient engine
  • transmission function
  • wheels/tyres and tracks function
• Why the reporting on machine defects that affect operational efficiency is important.

Recognise the fuel saving techniques that apply to a range of common types of construction plant

Delivery guidance:

• the methods of using a range of typical machine types efficiently including:
  • minimising cycles of operation
  • positioning of supporting plant
  • correct use of machine operational work modes
  • keeping engine speed within maximum torque bands
  • driving speeds and gear selection
  • Minimising hydraulic movements
  • Optimised idling activities
• The effects of leaving an engine idling during breaks in work activities
• How fuel saving techniques lowers tailpipe emissions
• Why and when engine shut-down should be undertaken
• How the planning of work for specific machines minimises fuel usage

Additional information about this standard

The Supply Chain Sustainability School website provides a number of videos that will aid delivery including:

• HS2 Anti idling video
• HS2 Anti idling toolkit slides
• Air quality for plant and equipment e-learning module
• Air quality sustainability short
• The plant hierarchy
• Whole life approach calculator for plant and machinery