Dumper Training
A dumper is a vehicle designed for carrying bulk material, often on building sites. Dumpers are distinguished from dump trucks by configuration: a dumper is usually an open 4-wheeled vehicle with the load skip in front of the driver, while a dump truck has its cab in front of the load.
Can carry payloads of up to 10 tonnes and usually steer by articulating at the middle of the chassis (pivot steering). They have multi-cylinder diesel engines, some turbocharged, electric start and hydraulics for tipping and steering.

In the 1990s dumpers with swivel skips, which could be rotated to tip sideways, became popular, especially for working in narrow sites such as road works.
BITA Categories |
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Not Listed – Wheeled, Tracked & Swivel Skip available |
Course content
- Responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974, PUWER 98 & LOLER 98
- Operators Safety code
- Re-fuelling of Dumper
- Pre-use checks including basic maintenance
- Factors affecting stability
- Motive and hydraulic controls of Dumper
- Manoeuvring the Dumper in open and confined areas
- Loading and Tipping Procedures
- Discharging Materials into Trench-Work
- Working on Stock Piles
Course assessment
- Theoretical assessment of 5 open and 20 multiple choice questions, which can be conducted orally where language barriers or literacy difficulties exist.
- Practical Test of basic operating skills, confirming skills taught on the Forklift training course
Course certification
- ITSSAR accredited certificate
- TOPS (Trained Operator Passport Scheme) registration
Course | Duration | Candidates |
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Novice | 2 days | max 3 |
Experienced Operator | 1 day | max 3 |
Safety Refresher | 1 day | max 3 |
Conversion | 1 day | max 3 |
Familiarisation | 0.5 day | max 3 |
