The first training candidates have successfully passed the IPAF PAL+ advanced MEWP operator course in a virtual reality (VR) environment using MEWP simulators. IPAF’s PAL+ operator training was developed in response to increasing demand for a recognised qualification demonstrating advanced operator proficiency and a certain level of experience in using different MEWPs in a variety of challenging scenarios.

Paul Roddis
Training Manager at IPAF

Paul Roddis, IPAF’s Training Manager, says: “PAL+ is an advanced MEWP operator training course for people that will work in higher-risk environments. It is ideal for employers that want to reduce risk to their teams when they are working in complex areas such as factories or warehouses, on steel erection, inside power stations or processing plants.”

Following extensive development work and fine-tuning involving IPAF staff and members, IPAF has launched trials involving some of its training members to deliver PAL+ training testing candidates using VR MEWP simulators instead of real machines.

Paul Roddis adds: “There’s been a huge amount of hard work put into making these assessment scenarios as lifelike in the VR environment as possible; the next step was to prove the technology using training candidates under genuine assessment conditions. I’m pleased to say this hard work has paid off and IPAF now has its first official PAL+ advanced MEWP operators certified via simulators.”

Giles Councell, IPAF’s Director of Operations, adds: “We now plan to fully develop IPAF PAL+ course into eLearning and VR by developing a digital version of the theory module and simulated pre-use inspection. It will make 2020 a very exciting year.”

For information on IPAF’s globally recognised training programme or find an IPAF approved Training Centre near you, visit www.ipaf.org/training

“PAL+ is the ideal solution for employers that want to reduce risk to their teams when they are working in complex areas such as factories and warehouses, steel erection, inside power stations, processing plants or with net rigging.” – Paul Roddis, IPAF Training Manager

New IPAF ‘Toolbox Talks’ launched to aid workplace safety

IPAF has been developed a series of useful Toolbox Talk safety presentations for use in breakrooms or on worksites to allow health & safety managers or site supervisors get key messages across at the start of a shift.

The talks are short single-side A4 sheets with bullet-points and easy to digest and convey advice based on IPAF’s own technical and safety guidance and the popular Andy Access series of safety posters.

This release schedule will see MEWP Familiarisation, MEWP Pre-Use Inspection and MEWP Rescue Plan Toolbox Talks released in November 2019, with MEWP Ground Conditions, Never Attach a Banner to a MEWP, Avoid Overhead Obstructions and Walking the MEWP following throughout December and early 2020. More talks are being developed and will be introduced as part of the scheduled series over subsequent weeks.

To find and download the new IPAF Toolbox Talks free of charge, simply visit www.ipaf.org/resources; to download the accompanying Andy Access safety posters for free, visit www.ipaf.org/AndyAccess

IPAF

015395 66700

info@ipaf.org

www.ipaf.org

Comments are closed.