Is IPAF, PASMA training Necessary?
As laid out in the health & safety at work act of 1974 all employees must receive from their employers training for the purpose of health and safety. Particularly work in an industry where cherry pickers, booms, scissors and all forms of access platforms are involved, the regulations in the 1998 act (power) high light the fact.
“Every employer shall ensure that all persons who use work equipment have relevant training for the purpose of health and safety” 
These regulations apply to any one involved in working at height or involved in organising or servicing works at height.

What is IPAF training and what do we do?
Training in the use of work equipment is required by most health and safety legislation and work at height regulations. Employers are obliged to train employees. The IPAF training programme for platform operators was developed by leading industry professionals. It is certified by TÜV as conforming to the international standard ISO 18878:2004 Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training. More than 70,000 operators are trained each year  each successful trainees receive a PAL Card (Powered Access Licence), a safety guide, a log book and a certificate.
IPAF itself does not provide training. Training is provided by approved training centres, mostly manufacturer and rental members of IPAF. Lifterz Ltd is an approved training centre, we are regularly audited by IPAF. Our class sizes are kept small to ensure quality. Courses generally last one to two days and are a mixture of theory and practice, with a written and a practical test. Course material is available in many languages.

What IPAF Training Courses are available ?
Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) courses for: 

• Operators
• Demonstrators
• Instructors

Categories of MEWP equipment:

• Static Vertical (1a)
• Static Boom (1b)
• Mobile Vertical (3a)
• Mobile Boom (3b)
• Insulated Aerical Device (IAD)
• Specialist machines (SPECIAL)

Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) courses for:

• Mobile Operators
• Demonstrators
• Installers
• Advanced Installers
• Instructors

Other courses:

• Harness Use and Inspection (H)
• Loading/Unloading (LOAD)
• MEWPs for Managers (MM)
• Telehandler Platform - Integrated (TPI)

 Why do Lifterz have IPAF Rental Plus?
Lifterz training was awarded the highest accolade when it was awarded the IPAF + quality standard. This guarantees customers the highest service levels in the industry.

How long does my IPAF or PASMA licence last?
Your IPAF & PASMA training will be valid for 5 years. However make sure you renew your licence well before the final date as this may lead to being in an unfortunate situation where you are unable to use a cherry picker, scissor lift, or boom.

What is a Pal Card?
The PAL Card (Powered Access Licence) is recognised worldwide across industries as proof of platform operator training to the highest standard.
It is issued by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) to platform operators who successfully complete a training course at an IPAF-approved training centre.

What is PASMA training?
Formed in 1974, and comprising the major manufacturers of alloy access towers in the UK, the Association's original objectives were to promote the safe use of alloy access towers and to promote the interests of its members to the regulatory and standards authorities.  Membership of the Association was confined to manufacturers only, who at that time represented the principal suppliers to the market for both sales and hire.
In the early 1980s, the Association devised its PASMA Training Course for users of alloy towers, now universally acknowledged as the industry standard, and so commenced a long history of skills training to make the use of access towers as safe as possible by producing many thousands of competent users.

What is covered on a PASMA training course?

• Indoor / outdoor Minimum Height 6 Metres.
• Sufficient Area to position and work from equipment.
• Area cordoned off for exclusive use.
• Risk Assessment for training Activities.
• Rescue Plan – Written rescue plan in event of emergency.
• First Aid Provision – Qualified first aider and first aid box.

Equipment and Required Standard (Dependant on categories to be trained)

• 4 Metre Mobile Access Tower (Minimum) -  BS EN 1004:2004
• Low Level Access Units  - BS 1139, Pt 6:2005
• Advanced Module Units  - BS EN 1004:2004

Reference Material Required

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA)
• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR)
• CIS 10
• BS EN 1004:2004 
• BS EN 1298
• Current Manufacturer's Instruction Manual