Retail distribution: what do CACES consist of?

While it does not have the value of a diploma or professional qualification title, the certificate of aptitude for safe driving (or CACES) aims to reduce the number of accidents related to the use of certain work equipment. This system was created in 1998 and is recommended by the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM).

Table of contents:

• CACES Certificate
• The equipment concerned
• Recommendations

The term CACES refers to the certificate of aptitude for safe driving. It concerns a very specific category of construction equipment and handling equipment, elevating platforms, cranes, gantries or trucks. This certificate can only be obtained from a certified testing organization (CTO). It involves an evaluation test comprising theoretical and practical examinations. An employee who wants to be recognized as competent for the safe operation of certain work equipment must undergo appropriate training to validate their skills.

Once the certificate is obtained, they will be authorized to operate the equipment in question within their company on specific sites, subject to a medical certificate and a driving authorization that their employer must provide. Indeed, the test itself does not authorize driving, it is up to the employer to issue this authorization to the operator so that they can present this document at any time when using their equipment. In some cases, the operator may need to complete additional training specific to the equipment used. The validity period of the certificate is ten years for construction equipment, and five years for other types of work equipment. It remains valid even when changing companies. However, the driving authorization must be obtained again from the head of the new establishment.

Construction equipment includes notably dump trucks (construction trucks), bulldozers, backhoe loaders, scrapers, graders, concrete mixers or even hydraulic mechanical excavators on tracks or on tires. There are many other types.

In addition to construction equipment (or civil engineering equipment), seven major families of work equipment are concerned by the certificate of aptitude for safe driving:

• Tower cranes
• Mobile cranes
• Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP)
• Rider-operated industrial trucks
• Vehicle loading auxiliary cranes
• Overhead cranes, gantries and semi-gantries
• Walk-behind stackers

The CACES system is governed by CNAM (National Health Insurance Fund) and its recommendations are issued in agreement with INRS, the national research and safety institute for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. These recommendations are specific to each family of equipment:

• CACES Construction equipment: R.482
• CACES Tower cranes: R.487
• CACES Mobile cranes: R.483
• CACES Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP): R.486
• CACES Rider-operated industrial trucks: R.489
• CACES Vehicle loading auxiliary cranes: R.490
• CACES Overhead cranes, gantries and semi-gantries: R.484
• CACES Walk-behind stackers: R.485

The most represented category is that of rider-operated industrial trucks, with more than 55% of certificates issued each year. It should be noted that the last two categories concerning overhead cranes and stackers were created on January 1, 2020, the other six having been renovated.

Of course, holding the certificate of aptitude for safe driving does not exempt from wearing appropriate PPE and work clothing. It is necessary to wear not only protective helmets but also high visibility vests and other HV clothing (pants, parkas, polo shirts, etc). Multi-pocket pants are also recommended to keep all equipment within reach. The nature of the work environment also determines the type of safety shoes required for professions related to large-scale distribution.