OPITO takes Lifting Frameworks to New Heights in the Caribbean
With operational hubs in four key regions – UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas – we at OPITO are committed to driving safety and competency improvements that benefit safety-critical industries around the world.
We are proud to have set a new benchmark for lifting standards in the region, with dedicated training centres in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. As part of our ongoing commitment to workforce development and operational excellence, we have brought our international lifting standards to South America, allowing operators in the region’s safety-critical industries to meet their obligations for running safe and compliant lifting operations.
Key Lifting Roles Explained
Lifting is an essential activity across a wide range of industries, from energy and logistics to ports, construction, and maintenance. Because it involves moving loads and managing hazards, it demands a highly competent, well-trained workforce.
In South America, we are helping employers, and their teams build this competence by delivering training through two different frameworks:
- Banksman and Slinger
- Rigger
These frameworks are delivered at our approved training centres in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, and align with key lifting roles:
- Banksman – ensures loads are moved and positioned safely, directing crane or vehicle movements around worksites using hand signals or radio communication.
- Slinger – ensures loads are safely rigged for lifting, communicating with lifting teams using hand signals or radio communication.
- Rigger – prepares for and undertakes the safe lifting, moving, lowering, and landing of a load, using lifting equipment such as cables and pulleys.
A Full Framework of Quality-Assured Training
Our lifting frameworks were developed in partnership with global energy industry stakeholders and include:
- Initial Training
- Workplace Experience
- Competence Assessment
- Periodic Competence Re-Assessment
Learners are supported by experienced personnel within their organisations, who mentor and sign off their progress.
OPITO’s lifting training covers:
- The role of the Banksman and Slinger, or the role of the Rigger
- Principles of relevant lifting/rigging operations
- Understanding relevant lifting equipment and accessories
- Carrying out the relevant lifting operations
- Restoring the work area and post-operation responsibilities
- Relevant legislation and hazard control
- Best practices for communications and visibility.
Designed for both onshore and offshore working, our standards are flexible and can be applied across any safety-critical industry.
“It’s a full framework that’s been developed by industry, for industry. By investing in these standards, companies are implementing a clear training and competence path for their workers aligned with global industry expectations.”
To uphold the highest levels of safety, we take a rigorous approach to quality assurance. Our approval criteria cover each aspect of a training centre’s operations, including:
- Management Systems
- Equipment and Facilities
- Staff Resources
- Training and Assessment
- Health and Safety
“We audit our training centres to ensure the highest standards of safety. Ensuring that every centre prioritises the safety and wellbeing of our delegates throughout their training is our utmost priority.”
Our Investment in South America
Since appointing Patrick Modolo as our Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for South America in August 2024, and opening our Rio office in June 2025, we have continued to invest heavily in the region. Patrick has been working closely with industry partners to demonstrate how our standards and qualifications can directly support their safety and performance goals.
In the past 12 months, we have approved three new training centres and continue to build our regional network. We have invested in the resources and infrastructure required to support our growing presence in South America. Many of our products and support videos are now available in Brazilian Portuguese, with Spanish translations underway, ensuring accessibility for even more learners.
“We’re fully focused on the region and we’re investing heavily in it.”
Building Local Capacity with Global Standards
While OPITO is focused on developing local capacity in South America, our frameworks are globally recognised.
“It doesn’t matter if workers undertake our lifting training in Trinidad and Tobago or in Malaysia, it will all be delivered to the same standard. This ensures both consistency and a minimum standard of lifting training and assessment across the industry.”
This global recognition also benefits employers. By adopting OPITO standards, companies can export services internationally and maintain a mobile workforce without duplicating training costs.
“Having an international standard allows operators to export services and enables a mobile workforce between countries. If you’re a local company and you want to export your service globally, you can avoid duplicating your cost of training while ensuring your personnel continue their training and assessment with the relevant lifting framework”
Lifting is a safety-critical discipline that requires comprehensive training and rigorous control measures. With our dedicated presence in South America and an industry-recognised global framework that applies across sectors, environments, and regions, we are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safety and skills across in South America.
Explore OPITO’s global training standards and ensure your workforce meets industry benchmarks: Energy Industry Training Standards Library - OPITO
