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This resource is for members only. Please login or consider becoming an IPAF member.
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This resource is for members only. Please login or consider becoming an IPAF member.
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5821: Do trainees need a safety awareness course before going on an IPAF MEWP course?
Safety awareness relevant to MEWPs is an integral part of the IPAF course and therefore previous safety awareness is not necessary for the operator, demonstrator and instructor courses.
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5822: Who keeps the card and certificate after training is completed?
IPAF suggests that the operator should have the issued card on his/her person at all times when working with MEWPs and the employer should keep the certificate.
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5823: Do I need training on a small static vertical machine without drive, also known as a Push Around Vertical (PAV)?
Yes, training on a PAV is a direct legal requirement, and there is a half-day course for this. If you have a valid licence with Static Vertical (1a) or Mobile Vertical (3a), you will only require familiarisation on the machine, which should be recorded in your IPAF log book, or through the ePAL app.
This is due to the PAV being a simpler version of a 1a which operates in the same way as a 3a but without the ability to drive.
This principle cannot be applied to any other categories due to the operational methods and risks differing significantly between the categories. For example, if an operator is trained on a 1b only, this MEWP cannot be driven elevated where a 3b can, and the operator would not have been trained on that skill. Similarly, if they are trained on a 3b only, they have not been trained on setting up a 1b effectively on spreader pads.
See IPAF technical guidance F1 on familiarisation.
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5824: Can candidates who have never used a MEWP participate in the operator course?
Yes, however, this may affect the length of the course and/or the candidates’ likelihood of passing.
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5825: If a candidate does not pass either the theory or practical test, how long should he or she wait before repeating the course and tests?
It is possible for the candidate to re-take the course the following day. However, it is recommended that the candidate, employer and instructor discuss the reasons for failing prior to a re-take so that any appropriate corrective action can be taken. A failure of the theory test means that the applicant will have to re-sit the entire course on another day.
If the theory test has been passed but the practical test(s) failed, the applicant would be required to retake the practical test(s) within 90 days of passing the theory test. Failure to retake the practical test(s) within 90 days of passing the theory test would mean the applicant would need to re-sit and pass the theory test prior to taking the practical test(s).
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5826: What is the maximum time period allowed between the theory and practical parts without having to repeat the whole course?
Practical tests not taking place immediately following the theory test must be undertaken within the subsequent four-week period.
After the four-week period, in order to renew or upgrade a licence, an operator must successfully complete the IPAF Renewal/Upgrade theory course and test, which is shorter than the theory part of the main operator course.
If the practical part of the course has been rescheduled due to poor weather etc., then practical tests not taking place immediately following the theory test must be undertaken within the subsequent 90 day period.
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5827: Who is the legal owner of the PAL Card?
PAL Cards remain the property of International Powered Access Federation Ltd.
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5828: What is the purpose of the operators' log book?
The log book is an operator’s record of machine usage/experience. The printed log book has been replaced with the digital log book through the ePAL app.
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5829: Who is responsible for alerting the holder of a PAL Card when the card is expiring?
Responsibility for ensuring a PAL Card is current remains with either the operator or the employer (this will vary depending on their contractual relationship). The relevant training centres will however often endeavour to remind the operator or employer. Users of the ePAL app will be notified when their licence is expiring.
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5833: What should be done to renew the PAL Card if it is already expired?
An expired operator or demonstrator PAL Card cannot be renewed and will require full re-training and testing.
