The training mandate is part of the UKCG’s policy to address the risk of entrapment when mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are used.
The UKCG said: “From 31 October 2013 the UKCG standard for MEWP operations shall be that ‘All net riggers and steel erectors, along with their associated trades e.g. painters and welders working as part of erection and netting activities, operating mobile or static boom and scissor lifts, shall hold IPAF PAL+ or CPCS Competent Operator certification.’”
PAL+ is an additional one-day of category-specific training for MEWP operators working in higher risk or particularly challenging environments. It enables the addition of specific further categories to PAL (powered access licence) cards, administered by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).
The UKCG is consulting with a view to extending the requirement for IPAF PAL+ or CPCS Competent operator certification progressively to other trades.
More details on PAL+ are at www.ipaf.org/palplus
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