Progress made with SPMT operator licence and training

Plans are moving forward on a new best practice guide and training scheme for modular hydraulically suspended trailers and self propelled modular transporter (SPMT).

Experts are working on behalf of the European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes (ESTA), to develop the BPG and training for Modular Hydraulic Suspended Trailers and SPMT (MHST). Part of the latest work by the ESTA MHST experts group is to develop a graded operator licence structure. It will reflect the type of transport and the complexity of the project.

Another area of attention is to develop an agreed set of additional requirements for operators working on specialized equipment in the wind energy industry, for example, the highly specialized blade lifters.

ESTA is the European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes

Following publication of the first SPMT BPG in 2016 work on an expanded and updated one is progressing well, the association said. Release of the first draft is planned in time for the association’s 50th anniversary meeting later in 2026.

Major project

The BPG is one of the biggest and most complicated projects ESTA has undertaken in its 50 year history. It also precipitated the European Trailer Operator Licence (ETOL) project now also under development alongside the guide. ETOL will run alongside ESTA’s already established European Crane Operators Licence.

The original SPMT guide was intended to help address the problem of tip over incidents with heavy specialized trailers. These were happening even though existing operating rules and stability calculations had been followed. It is still available for free download and in six languages, from the ESTA website .

The new MHST guide will be in three sections for trailer operations, engineering and operator training. In the engineering section, papers on transport stability and trailer-surface interface, i.e. guidance for analysing the interaction between MHSTs and the surface or structure underneath, are completed. Another two papers on engineering levels and trailer information are under review.

In addition to details of additional training requirements for specialized equipment and more complex projects, the operator training section will include details of the generic training design, expected learning outcomes, guidelines for training institutes and a glossary of terms.

Ton Klijn, ESTA director. Photo: ESTA

Commenting on the progress Ton Klijn, ESTA director,  said,  “This is a major and extremely important project for ESTA, our members and the wider industry. We firmly believe that improved technical guidance coupled with properly regulated operator training are essential for a safer and more efficient future.

“We look forward to presenting the results of our – and our members’ – hard work later this year, and hearing the wider industry’s suggestions and comments.”

ESTA’s first SPMT best practice guide was completed in 2016. Image: ESTA