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Recover casualty vehicles using advanced winching techniques

URN: IMIRR0507
Business Sectors (Suites): Vehicle Recovery
Developed by: IMI
Approved on: 30 Mar 2023

Overview

This standard is about recovering casualty vehicles using advanced winching techniques. 

For the purpose of this standard casualty vehicles include light, light commercial, heavy goods and public service vehicles.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1 Identify and wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 
P2 conduct all winching activities following:

P2.1 legal requirements
P2.2 workplace procedures
P2.3 industry codes of practice
P2.4 health and safety requirements
P2.5 manufacturer’s operating instructions
P2.6 operator's licence compliance requirements
P2.7 the Environment Agency’s hazardous waste regulations
P3 carry out a dynamic risk assessment of the casualty vehicle and its location prior to commencing winching activities
P4 continue to assess the situation throughout the winching operation
P5 make justifiable decisions for a course of action based upon the information gained from your initial assessment of the situation
P6 work in a way which minimises risk of:

P6.1 further damage to the vehicle 
P6.2 contact with leakage, hazardous materials/substances or high voltage components which have not been disconnected
P6.3 any potential further damage to your working environment
P6.4 injury to self and others
P7 promptly inform the relevant authorities where the condition of the vehicle presents a hazard and/or the loading manoeuvre is likely to obstruct the flow of traffic
P8 use a recovery vehicle and equipment which:

P8.1 is suitable for the type, condition and weight of vehicle to be transported 
P8.2 is suitable for the nature of the incident
P9 maintain the security of machinery and equipment
P10 gain access to the equipment safely and get into a secure working position when carrying out winching activities 
P11 carry out routine operator maintenance on the winch unit to include power unit, drive system (shaft, chain, hydraulic, electrical or direct drive), braking system, other moving parts and guarding, as appropriate to machine used, following manufacturer's recommendations 
P12 carry out pre-start checks, deploy the winch rope a distance and carry out a practical check on all operating functions of the equipment including safety devices, winch controls, clutches and brakes, as appropriate, prior to winching 
P13 agree the signalling system with the winch operator and banksman as appropriate/necessary
P14 deploy winch rope avoiding obstacles to the winching process 
P15 assess the operational and environmental requirements and plan safe and efficient winch route 
P16 identify (and calculate) the different resistances to winching when recovering a vehicle

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures
K1 the legal requirements and industry codes of practice governing scene protection and winching operations
K2 the importance of wearing the appropriate PPE
K3 how and why to initiate and maintain effective communication when preparing a winching operation 
K4 the implications of working at height in relation to routine operator checks and basic maintenance 
K5 how to carry out an appropriate risk assessment and use this assessment to determine collection and transportation of vehicles 
K6 the importance of informing the relevant authorities/responsible parties where winching operations are likely to affect other traffic
K7 the limits of your authority for dealing with hazardous substances or alternative fuel vehicles
K8 emergency planning and procedures for the scene
K9 the referral process for dealing with unexpected issues
K10 the basic principles of manually handling recovery equipment
K11 the principles of winch theory, resistances to winching a casualty and stabilisation of the recovery vehicle 
K12 the methods used to change direction of pull or to gain a mechanical advantage from the winch 
K13 causes of, and how to prevent potential pollution and environmental damage when preparing a winching operation 
K14 the function of all operating controls for a winch
K15 the points to inspect on the winch rope and terminal fixings, the range and signs of possible winch rope damage and the limits to winch rope wear and tear that are acceptable for winching 
K16 the bearing capacity of pulley anchor strops in various configurations 
K17 the safety clearance/safety zone from the winch rope that should be observed 
K18 the ancillary equipment used when winching different vehicle types
K19 the types, purpose and use of relevant vehicle recovery equipment 
K20 the importance of carrying out a daily check on the recovery vehicle and equipment
K21 the safe working loads for recovery equipment, axle weights and stability

Winching techniques
K41 the implications of working at height in relation to routine operator checks and basic maintenance, loading and unloading of vehicles
K42 the principles of winch theory, resistances to winching a casualty and stabilisation of the transporter vehicle
K43 the principles of powered winch operation and the loads to be applied, including the multiplication of forces when pulleys, snatch blocks, strops and anchor points are used
K44 the methods used to change direction of pull or to halve the load on the winch being used
K45 the function of all operating controls for a winch
K46 the safe working load of all ancillary equipment in various configurations
K47 the points to inspect on the rope and terminal fixings, the range and signs of possible rope damage and the limits to rope wear and tear that are acceptable for winching

Scope/range

1. Ancillary equipment includes: 

1.1. shackles 
1.2. snatch blocks 
1.3. chains 
1.4. strops 
1.5. capstan
1.6. anchor points

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

30 Mar 2026

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

IMI

Original URN

RR05 and RR07

Relevant Occupations

Vehicle Recovery Operator, Vehicle Recovery Technical Operator

SOC Code

5231

Keywords

Recover; casualty; vehicles; advanced; winching; techniques;