Traffic Marshall and Banksman Training
Any Device Access
Flexible Learning
1 Year Access
LSC Certification
Current Status
Price
Get Started
Traffic Marshall and Banksman Training
4.8 (550+ reviews)
Join 5,500+ students enrolled
1 Year Access
LSC Certification
Current Status
Price
Get Started
Traffic Marshall and Banksman Training
Current Status
Price
Get Started
What is a banksman?
A banksman is a trained and competent person who directs the safe movement of vehicles and mobile plant on or around a site. They guide drivers and machine operators when visibility is limited, for example when a lorry is reversing or a dumper is manoeuvring in a tight space. The banksman stands in a safe position where they can see the vehicle and be seen by the driver, and they use clear, agreed signals to guide each move. In short, a banksman is the eyes of the driver in the places the driver cannot see, and the role exists to stop people being struck by vehicles at work.
Banksman or traffic marshal: is there a difference?
The difference between a banksman and a traffic marshal comes up a lot, so let us clear it up. There is no real difference. Banksman and traffic marshal are two names for the same job, so if you are asking what is a traffic marshal, or what is a traffic marshall with two Ls, the answer is the same: it is a banksman. The HSE describes banksmen as operatives trained to direct vehicle movement on or around a site, and notes that they are often called traffic marshals. You will see both terms used on job adverts and site inductions, sometimes interchangeably on the same project. If a site asks for a traffic marshal and you hold a banksman certificate, you are qualified for the role, and the other way around.
One small point on spelling: you will see traffic marshal written with one L and traffic marshall with two. The single L spelling is the correct one, but both are widely used, so do not worry if your certificate or a job advert uses either
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Delivery: Online
- Module: 8
- Includes: Traffic Marshall ID Card
- Access Period: 1 Year
- Students Enrolled: 600+
- Certification: London Security College
- Price: £40.00 £45.00
What is the difference between a banksman and a slinger signaller?
This is where the roles genuinely differ. A banksman guides vehicles and mobile plant. A slinger signaller guides lifting operations, such as attaching loads to a crane and directing the lift. Slinging and signalling for lifts is a separate, more specialised skill with its own training, and it sits outside a banksman’s job. If your work involves lifting with cranes, you will need slinger signaller training as well as, or instead of, banksman training.
Banksman duties and responsibilities: what does a banksman do?
A banksman’s job is to manage the risk created by vehicles and plant. The main banksman duties and responsibilities usually include:
- Directing drivers and operators safely, from a position where they can always see the vehicle and be seen.
- Agreeing a clear set of signals with the driver before any movement begins.
- Keeping pedestrians and other workers out of the area while vehicles are moving.
- Understanding the site traffic plan, including one way systems, exclusion zones, speed limits and loading areas.
- Checking the route and the surroundings for hazards such as overhead cables, soft ground and blind spots.
- Stopping the job if it is not safe to continue, and reporting near misses and incidents.
Reversing is one of the biggest risks a banksman manages. HSE figures have long shown that a large share of vehicle related deaths at work happen while vehicles are reversing, which is exactly the moment a banksman is there to control.
Banksman hand signals
Clear signalling is the heart of the job. Banksmen use a recognised set of hand signals so the driver always knows what to do, even in a noisy environment. These banksman signals are set out in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and cover the essentials: start, stop, come towards me, move away, move left, move right, raise, lower and emergency stop. The banksman and driver agree the signals before work starts, and the driver stops immediately if they lose sight of the banksman. On larger or louder jobs, two way radios are used alongside or instead of hand signals. Learning these banksman hand signals correctly is a core part of any traffic marshal course.
Do you need a qualification to be a banksman?
A banksman qualification is not a single legal licence. There is no licence that you must hold by law to work as a banksman, but you do need to be trained and competent, and employers will expect proof of that training. A recognised banksman or traffic marshal qualification shows that you understand the hazards, the control measures and the signals. Many sites ask to see a certificate or ID card before they let you direct traffic, and some construction sites will want it alongside a CSCS card. So while it is not a legal qualification in the strict sense, in practice you do need training, and a certificate makes you employable for the role. A traffic marshal qualification of this kind can usually be completed online in a few hours.
How to become a banksman or traffic marshal
Becoming a banksman is straightforward:
- Complete a banksman or traffic marshal training course that covers the role, the hazards, the control measures and the HSE signals.
- Pass the assessment and get your certificate and ID card, often called a banksman ticket or traffic marshall ticket.
- Apply for banksman or traffic marshal roles, or take on the duty within your current job.
- Get site specific training when you start, because every site has its own traffic plan and layout.
The quickest route for most people is an online course, which you can complete at your own pace and finish with a downloadable certificate and ID card the same day.
How much does a banksman earn?
Banksman salary varies by region, employer and experience, but banksman and traffic marshal roles are in steady demand across construction, logistics and warehousing, because almost every site that moves vehicles needs someone to control them. Holding a recognised certificate and ID card helps you stand out and can open the door to better paid site work. Because the training is short and inexpensive, it is one of the easier ways to add a useful, employable skill to your CV.
Get certified with the online banksman and traffic marshal course
If you are ready to qualify, our online banksman and traffic marshal course teaches everything covered in this guide and gives you a CPD accredited certificate and ID card when you pass. It is 100% online and self paced, so you can complete it from anywhere in the UK in about four hours.
We recommend learners refresh their knowledge yearly to ensure candidates are aware of new regulations.
Banksman FAQs
Is a banksman the same as a traffic marshal?
Yes. They are two names for the same role. The HSE notes that banksmen are often called traffic marshals, and the training is the same.
What is another name for a banksman?
Traffic marshal is the most common alternative name. You may also see vehicle marshal or vehicle banksman used for the same role.
Do you need to be trained to be a banksman?
Yes. There is no formal licence required by law, but you must be trained and competent, and employers will expect to see a recognised certificate before you direct vehicles on site.
Is a banksman the same as a slinger?
No. A banksman guides vehicles and plant. A slinger signaller guides lifting operations with cranes, which is a separate qualification.
