Yard shunters play a key role in the safe movement of vehicles and trailers within yards and depots.
This one-day Yard Shunter Safety Training course provides participants with the knowledge and practical awareness required to carry out shunting operations safely and in line with legal and best-practice requirements, with a focus on safe systems of work, vehicle control, coupling and uncoupling, pedestrian safety, and incident prevention.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a yard shunter
- Identify hazards associated with yard operations and vehicle movements
- Apply safe operating procedures for yard shunting vehicles
- Carry out safe coupling and uncoupling of trailers
- Implement controls to protect pedestrians and other vehicles
- Carry out basic pre-use checks and defect reporting
- Understand legal duties of operators and employers
COURSE CONTENT
The course content includes, but is not restricted to, the following:
- Introduction to Yard Shunting Operations
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Legal Duties
- Types of Yard Shunters and Trailers
- Pre-use Checks and Defect Reporting
- Safe Driving and Manoeuvring in Yards
- Coupling and Uncoupling Procedures
- Trailer Stability and Load Awareness
- Pedestrian and Vehicle Interaction
- Yard Traffic Management Principles
- Incident Prevention and Emergency Procedures
COURSE FORMAT
The course is delivered through a combination of classroom based instruction and practical training. It includes presentations, group discussion, practical demonstrations, and supervised hands-on shunting exercises to reinforce safe working practices.
ASSESSMENTS
Participants will complete both a theory assessment and a practical assessment to demonstrate understanding of safe yard shunting operations and competence in carrying out shunting activities.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is suitable for employees who operate yard shunters or carry out vehicle shunting activities as part of their role. It is also beneficial for supervisors, managers, and safety personnel responsible for yard operations and traffic management. This is for experienced shunter operators. Novice operator training is available as a separate course.
