The Hazards of Working at Heights

If you or your employees work at heights or with Mobile Elevated Working Platforms, the real hazards of the job quickly become routine and simple safety procedures can be easily overlooked. This can lead to unnecessary risks being taken, which can result in accidents that should be easily avoidable.

Any accidents occurring at heights can have tragic consequences, so it is essential that every step is taken to reduce the risks associated with this type of work.

IPAF Training

IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) believe that everyone who works at heights, or uses access equipment such as cherry pickers or scissor lifts, should undergo at least a basic level of training to ensure they have the skills to safely and effectively use powered access equipment.

Their qualifications are recognised worldwide and across numerous industries, and satisfy all the requirements set down by health and safety legislation and applicable working at height regulations. It is the employers’ duty to provide adequate training for their employees and without it they are responsible for any resulting accidents, injuries and legal repercussions.

The training courses devised by IPAF are delivered by approved training centres worldwide, such as HST ltd, and each organisation is regularly audited by IPAF to ensure the highest standards of training, that will keep them and those around them safe.

The PAL Card

On completion of the courses, the newly qualified operative will receive a PAL Card (Powered Access Licence), which certifies that the holder has undergone the training required by international standard ISO 18878:2004 (mobile elevating work platforms operator training). These cards are essential for anyone working at heights, whether operating machinery is their main job or if they use access equipment in addition to their main job, such as electricians or decorators.

The platforms on equipment such as cherry pickers or scissor lifts are designed to assist safe working at heights, and are easy to use but it is essential that basic training is provided to ensure safe and effective use. By ensuring your employees have a PAL card, you can rest assured you have fulfilled your obligations in line with the necessary legal requirements.

IPAF And HST

Health and Safety Training are one of the region’s leading IPAF training providers, training hundreds of operatives each year and ensuring they have the skills to stay safe whilst working at heights. The MEWP (Mobile Elevated Working Platforms) training courses we deliver are fully approved by IPAF and the HSE and, as such, whether you or your team need cherry picker training, scissor lift training or safety harness inspection training, you can trust the team at HST.