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Why Managers Must Adhere To IPAF Recommendations

by prettyone

IPAF is the International Powered Access Federation; it is
dedicated in promoting safe usage of powered access machinery
through effective training courses. Its worldwide stance has
meant the organisation has become an authority in all training
issues surrounding powered access machinery, operating in many
countries globally. Set up in 1983, this year sees IPAF
celebrating its twenty fifth year as a non-profit organisation
that strives to create safer working procedures for all powered
access workers. By creating training guidelines, its work has
been fundamental in strengthening the safety aspects of powered
access operating.

IPAF performs this important role by regulating training
operators and ensuring they meet strict standards of operation.
It is currently estimated that almost seventy thousand operatives
undergo training in around three hundred training centres in any
one year. The result of training is a certificate in the form of
a PAL card or Powered Access License. It is not just a top down
organisation however; with such a wide base of members, it is
through feedback on working procedures that members can influence
future legislation and improve the way in which powered access is
performed.

IPAF have been recently working toward training all operators to
enter into their 'Clunk Click' campaign. Reminiscent of the
seatbelt campaigns during the eighties and nineties it sets out
to ensure that operatives wear a full body harness whenever they
are working at height. Training also ensures that this harness is
secured to a suitable anchor point at all times. The campaign can
be seen as a clear response to a number of fatalities where boom
lift workers were catapulted from their work stations due to a
lack of suitable harness equipment.

Legally, IPAF has to constantly keep itself, and it's licensed
training centres up to date with current legislation. Most
recently the Work at Height Regulation (2005) and the
Construction Regulations (2007) have meant an overhaul of the
training programs, this work was undertaken meaning that legally
defined responsibilities can be easily met for operatives. Having
a global approach however means that IPAF must incorporate a
number of diverse regulations from different countries in order
to comply. It is through a multi-lateral approach that the body
have achieved training programs that meet all relevant government
legislation.

For those who run a boom lift business, IPAF training will
become an even more important element to operation. The new
corporate manslaughter act of last year will, according to legal
expects work towards protecting conscientious managers while
simultaneously punishing those who run dangerous working methods.
The act came into effect last month and ensures that managers
make relevant provisions and ensure safe working methods are
maintained at all times. More precisely this is maintaining
equipment extensively and ensuring work areas are safe. If these
responsibilities are neglected and a death does occur, an
investigation of the company managers will ensue. The findings of
the investigation will deem if the company is at fault and
whether charges of corporate manslaughter can be levelled.

It is due to these strict health and safety regulations that
IPAF has been able to lead safety standards in its field. Without
the work of this organisation there is little doubt that the
powered access operator would be at more risk. If you are a
business manager that regularly utilises boom lifts and other
powered access lifts, finding a nearby approved training facility
is essential if you do not wish to fall foul to current
legislation. Ultimately the organisation is trying to make the
working world safer, your responsibilities as a manager are to
heed their recommendations and ensure that accidents are kept to
a minimum.

Industry expert Thomas Pretty looks into the importance of <a
href="http://www.systemscaffoldtrainingservices.com/ipaf-training.html">IPAF
training</a> for boom lift operators and powered access workers.

Syndicated by Top Gazebos - www.topgazebos.net

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