PAR2007 - IPAF

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Working at Height? APPROVED TRAINING Working at height is a challenging task changes in the law, growing time restraints and constant pressure on budgets mean you need a partner whom you can trust. The Platform Company are experts in powered access. Through a network of branches across the UK we offer packages of equipment, training and advice that are individually tailored to help you work safer at height. Glasgow Newcastle Leeds Liverpool Leicester Birmingham Barking (London East) Heathrow (London West) Bristol Southampton Slough (Central Admin) We deliver Hire ● Sales ● Safety Training ● Platform Accessories ● Harnesses Site Surveys ● Demonstrations ● Contract Servicing Platform the company 0800 028 18 08 www.platformcompany.co.uk
TRAINING Training faces IPAF’s mobile elevating work platform training courses attract a wide variety of operators from all areas of industry. Geoff Ashcroft spoke with three recently trained operators to find out what they gained from their courses. Electrical and mechanical engineering contractor John Frizell has found that attending a MEWP training course and getting a PAL Card (Powered Access Licence) for a self-propelled boom has encouraged safer and more productive operating techniques while on site. “Most of our work is off the ground, so diesel-powered booms tend to feature heavily in what we do,” explains Frizell, who is currently working on Heathrow’s T5 project for his employer, Dartfordbased Crown House Technology. “The increasing amount of high-level work we now handle means we need to have more operators with PAL Cards, so that we can get over the workload safely and be more productive.” “As work progresses, often to tight time schedules, it’s important for us to have more colleagues capable of operating these types of machinery, and having a day’s specialist training and assessment is essential,” he reckons. Frizell says booms are the platform of choice for the work he’s involved with at T5, given the reach they offer to carry out electrical installation work among multi-level car parking facilities. “Some of the equipment we currently use extends to 10m,” he says. “Training is essential – you can’t put just anyone on this type of kit anymore.” Learning curve While he admits to being no stranger to booms, having spent several years working with kit that offered much less reach and height, he accepts that learning more about the latest equipment and how it operates has been a useful step. “Training took place on site, which was really useful as it gave me an insight specifically into the equipment we’re currently using,” he says. “Attending the course has made me look at things differently. The training has helped me to make more thorough risk assessments, and enabled me to identify safety issues that could have been easily overlooked.” While he concedes that much of the training course is common-sense based, there were additional elements of powered access operation that have been brought to his attention. “Machine manoeuvrability around site, in addition to safe working at height, is an area that can easily be overlooked,” he says. “But after attending the course, I feel much more aware of what is going on around me while I’m working with the platform.” Devon-based carpenter Mark Pardoe recently attended an IPAF course to acquire his PAL Card for booms and scissor lifts. “It does everyone some good to be made more aware of your working environment and the safety issues that go with it,” says the chippy, who is one of 20 craftsmen working for Jim Davis Carpenters in Exmouth, Devon. Currently working on the refurbishment of a five-storey, 200-year-old pottery, which is being transformed into luxury apartments, he sees his PAL Card as a useful qualification that should ensure continuity of work on site. “In the safety-driven industry we work in, there seems to be more and more emphasis on having tickets and licences for what you are required to do, and that goes way beyond our own trade’s skills,” he says. “But when you’re working 30 feet in the air, you just can’t Training is split into theory and practice, including a written and a practical test where trainees are assessed by a certified instructor. A trained platform operator is able to get the job done safely, effectively and productively. continued on page 20 IPAF POWERED ACCESS REVIEW 2007 19
Page 1 and 2: Powered Access Review 2007 Take con
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Powered Access Review 2007
Page 5 and 6: Your powered access expertise + IPA
Page 7 and 8: NEWS 250,000 PAL Cards boost safety
Page 9 and 10: APPROVED TRAINING CENTRE FOR ALL YO
Page 11 and 12: “We are trying to influence attit
Page 13 and 14: “IPAF’s MEWPs for Managers cour
Page 15 and 16: Access Safety Training WE OFFER IPA
Page 17: “My vision is that a day will com
Page 21 and 22: Multi-trade Access Curtain Walling
Page 23 and 24: IPAF RENTAL+ Wheat and chaff Hire c
Page 25 and 26: HIRE KESTREL ACCESS 0845 604 0143 V
Page 27 and 28: CASE STUDIES Access all areas Const
Page 29 and 30: On the prowl for a better national
Page 31 and 32: HARNESSES Strap yourself in People
Page 33 and 34: MAST CLIMBERS MCWPs go sky high IPA
Page 35 and 36: WWW.NOOTEBOOM.COM
Page 37 and 38: MEWPS MEWPs for managers: Are you i
Page 39 and 40: INTERNATIONAL Experts on hand with
Page 41 and 42: IPAF TRAINING DIRECTORY IPAF traini
Page 43 and 44: HSS Hire Service Group Ltd Leeds/Wh
Page 45 and 46: Tel: 08700 771709 Fax: 08700 771609
Page 47 and 48: Fax: 00 31 43 35 00 656 info@omnita
Page 49 and 50: MEMBERS Manufacturers’ directory
Page 51 and 52: access machinery for sale ● New a

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