IPAF’s PAL Card gets Smarter!

The Powered Access Licence or PAL card (issued by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is well know throughout the world, and across a wide range of industries and sectors.

It provides proof that platform workers have reached the required level of training to operate the necessary equipment and undertake their role safely and legally.

The cards are granted to workers on completion of an IPAF training course, at an accredited training centre – such as Health and Safety Training Ltd. The training course has been designed by leading industry experts, and conforms to the international standard ISO 18878 Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training.

As a result, it is one of the most popular and trusted access courses available, with more than 100,000 PAL Cards issued every year.

The New Smart Card

As a result, it is one of the most popular and trusted access courses available, with more than 100,000 PAL Cards issued every year. This is one of the reasons why IPAF has decided to turn the PAL card into a smart card. The new  is machine-readable and available in many different languages. It looks the same as the old card, but stores data about the operator’s training and qualifications. This information will however, also be printed on to the card, like the old one – so the only actual difference is that the Smart Card has a wireless icon and a microchip in it.

So, what’s the point?

Well, the data in the chip can be accessed by a card reader fitted to equipment and machinery. So the operator presents their smart card to the  machine, and the reader can either accept or decline the operator access. If the operator is not trained to the required level for that machine category, it will not start.

The new system can be used by site managers to enhance on site safety in relation to the MEWPs, and they will be able to record and monitor how long each machine has been used for and by whom – helping to limit fraudulent usage.

The new smart PAL card is so effective and easy to use, that it has won multiple awards, including The LLEAP Award 2014, in the Aftermarket Support Products and Services category and the Plantworx Innovation Award 2015, in the Safety category. It has also been highly commended in the Plantworx Innovation Awards’ security category, and won silver in their elite category.

Health and Safety Training Ltd

Here at Health and Safety Training Ltd, we support the introduction of any new technology that will help to make the construction industry a safer place for workers and the public. We are also proud to be an approved training centre for IPAF courses, offering training on cherry pickers, scissor lifts and harness inspections.

For any more information about how we can help improve the safety of your site, with IPAF accredited training, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.