From Feb 2023, those who have expiring Safe Pass cards have a choice for renewal between in-class training or taking an online exam in a proctored(monitored) test centre.

With just 45 minutes to complete 50 questions & no tutor assistance, the online exam won’t be the right fit for everyone.                                                               

So, which option is best for you?...                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Online Exam

• Register for a SOLAS online account
• Book Exam & pay fee €93.84. If you fail 1^st exam you can re-book another exam through SOLAS for a resit fee of €29.84.
• Revise & take Proctored Exam at a Pearson test centre with no tutors present.
• 45 Minute exam with 50 multiple choice questions – 45 correct to pass or 90%
• 4-6 Hours of self-directed study in advance of exam. Revision materials are available on the SOLAS website. They cover 12 sections with the following topics in each section:
  • Learning Packs (12-17 pages in each)
  • Legislative Acts (up to 120 pages per section)
  • Toolbox Talks
  • Tutorials
  • Case Studies

Failure rate is high for those who aren’t familiar with the legislation in their day to day.

The 12 sections:

1. Legislation & Site Safety
2. Introduction to Risk Assessment
3. Risk Assessment for Electricity
4. Risk Assessment for Excavations
5. Risk Assessment for Heights
6. Personal Health & Welfare
7. Noise & Vibrations
8. Personal Protective Equipment
9. Site Accident Reporting
10. Site Safety & Construction Equipment
11. Site Safety & Construction Vehicles
12. Behaviour Based Safety & Additional Information
13. and then 45 minute exam in your chosen test centre

50 multiple choice questions; you must score 45/50 to pass or 90%

Tutor Led In Class Training

• Booked directly with NTS or other traditional classroom training provider (click here for next available dates)
• 1 day training in class with Safe Pass tutor who can interact with participants and help prompt & guide them throughout the day.
• No pre-course self directed learning required
• No Solas account set up – just book directly with us
• Pass rate 99.99% - out of 4,000 students trained in 2022 just 7 failed the exam.

That’s the breakdown. So who is Online Safe Pass most suited to?

• Those who have completed Safe Pass multiple times and know the materials inside and out and have a firm understanding of the relevant legislative acts
• Individuals who enjoy self directed learning and won’t require assistance from a tutor on the day

Who is tutor-led classroom most suited to?

• Participants who feel more comfortable in a face to face environment where they can benefit from the guidance and assistance of a tutor
• Individuals who aren’t familiar with the legislative Acts or don’t use them in their day to day – this area of the exam causes a high failure rate with the online exam
• Those who made need assistance with technology
• Non-Native English speakers

Why Should MEWP Operators get IPAF Certification?

Being certified by a regulatory body or well-known organization adds immense value to any training course.

This post will discuss the value of IPAF certification for MEWP operators in Ireland and how this will affect their opportunities and career.

Table of Contents – Click to go to that section 

• What is a MEWP?
• What is IPAF?
• Is IPAF certification legally required in Ireland?
• How can I get IPAF Certified?
• What if I don’t get IPAF certified?
• What’s the difference with being IPAF Certified?
• Types of IPAF Certification Available
• Summary
• FAQs – IPAF, MEWP, MEWP Operator
• Where can I get IPAF Certified?
• How long is an IPAF MEWP Course?
• How long does IPAF certification last?
• Is being a MEWP Operator a good job?

What is a MEWP?

MEWP stands for Mobile Elevated Work Platform. This is a category of machinery or plant that enables work to be carried out at height in a convenient and safe way.

Examples of MEWPs include scissor lifts, boom lifts, spider lifts, cherry pickers etc.

MEWPS may be standalone or van or truck mounted.

They are grouped into several categories:

• Static Vertical (1a)
• Static Boom (1b)
• Mobile Vertical (3a)
• Mobile Boom (3b)
• Specialist Machines (SPECIAL)

What is IPAF?

From the IPAF Website:

“The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide in the widest sense – through providing technical advice and information; through influencing and interpreting legislation and standards; and through safety initiatives and training programmes.

IPAF is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members, which include manufacturers, rental companies, distributors, contractors and users. IPAF members operate a majority of the MEWP rental fleet worldwide and manufacture about 85% of platforms on the market.”

Is IPAF certification legally required in Ireland?

IPAF certification is not a legal requirement for MEWP Operators in Ireland although MEWP training is legally required. However, certain sites and companies require their MEWP Operators to be IPAF certified.

How can I get IPAF Certified?

IPAF training and certification is provided through approved IPAF partners, such as National Training Solutions. Training must be done in a certain way with specific requirements and other conditions such as the number of learners on the course.

What if I don’t get IPAF certified?

As mentioned above, you are not legally required to get IPAF certification. You can of course get general training and certification from another organization. At National Training Solutions for example, we offer a non-IPAF certified MEWP training course for Scissors and Boom lifts.

This course will allow you to work on many sites as a MEWP Operator and satisfies the legal requirement for training. Details of this course can be found here.

What’s the difference in being IPAF Certified?

IPAF Certification is a standard that is required by many large construction sites in Ireland including Intel, Facebook and WuXi. It is also increasingly recognized globally and may help you find work on construction sites in other countries. It is certainly valuable to have an internationally recognized certification (also called a ticket) when applying for work in other countries.

Note: It is important to check the legal requirements and regulations as well as standard practice in the country you are planning to emigrate to.

Types of IPAF Certification Available

At National Training Solutions, we offer IPAF certification in the 1b (Spider Lift) and 3a + 3b (Scissors and Boom Lifts) categories. The training is carried out at our own facilities and available on a regular basis.

Exact dates can be found in our Training Schedule or by calling our sales team. Further details on the specific courses can be found at the links below:

• IPAF 1b (Spider Lift) MEWP Operator Course
• IPAF 3a + 3b (Scissors and Boom Lifts) MEWP Operator Course

Summary

Receiving the best training is important for any job and especially where there are health and safety concerns. Getting IPAF certified in MEWPs will improve your career prospects, give you the skills and confidence to work on almost any site in Ireland and also have options should you consider emigrating.

It is likely that the number of employers requiring IPAF certification will increase in the future so it is also a way to prepare for your future. At National Training Solutions, we offer IPAF training and certification as an approved IPAF partner in Ireland. We have options regarding the type of training and are happy to discuss your needs either as an individual or as a group/company booking.

FAQs – IPAF, MEWP, MEWP Operator

Where can I get IPAF Certified?

At our training centre and site in Navan, Co. Meath. We also offer training on-site for those with machinery and a training room available.

Click Here for our Latest IPAF Course Schedule

How long is an IPAF MEWP Course?

Our IPAF courses take 1 full day – ½ day of theory and ½ day of practical. We also offer options for the theory to be done online which then means the practical work can be completed in just half a day. Training can be done on your site – contact us to discuss the requirements.

How long does IPAF certification last?

Successful delegates will receive an IPAF ePAL Card which is valid for 5 years.

Is being a MEWP Operator a good job?

Being a MEWP operator is considered a skilled site worker and so has a better than average salary for construction workers. The more experience and qualifications/certifications you have, the better you can expect to be paid for this skill.

The job can be quite varied and so this means you may find employment with a wide variety of companies, from construction companies to state bodies and others.

Click Here for Course Schedule

We are delighted to introduce our expert Safe Pass Training in Dundalk. 

Our SOLAS Safe Pass Training course is designed to raise & maintain a high standard of on-site health & safety awareness and to qualify all workers to gain access to construction sites.

Course Objectives:

On completion of this course, learners will;

• Have increased safety awareness while at work in the construction sector
• Have attended a formal training course in basic health & safety awareness

Course Programme:

• Health & Safety Legislation & Construction Regulations
• Duties of Employers & Employees
• Accident reporting & prevention
• Working at Heights
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Safe Use of Hand Held Portable Equipment
• Noise & Vibration
• Manual Handling
• Working near excavations
• Working with electricity, overhead & underground services
• Health & Hygiene

Training Methods:

Classroom based power-point presentation with discussions throughout & supplemented by videos.

Who Should Attend?

Those who wish to work in the construction sector or those who need their SOLAS SafePass Card refreshed.

Additional Information:

• Minimum of 8 learners - Maximum of 20 learners
• 1 day programme from 8am to 5pm
• SOLAS Safe Pass Card will be issued by SOLAS to all learners who successfully complete this 1 day course
• New #SafePass card will be valid for 4 Years 
• On the day learners need to bring one passport photo, PPS number, drivers licence or passport ID
• Starting time & registration is 8.00am sharp

Contact Our Team to Book your Seat NOW - 046 9012407 - Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Safe Pass Dundalk Location

Our Dundalk Safe Pass course takes place at Creative Spark which is a couple of minutes from both Dundalk Hospital and Dundalk IT. A short walk from the town centre, the location is also served by Bus Eireann's 174B bus or the 916 bus from Halpenny Transport via https://www.transportforireland.ie/. This location is well located with amenities nearby.

Click Here for Course Schedule

TRAINING TAKES PLACE IN THE CENTRAL HOTEL, TULLAMORE. 

Course Aim:
Our Manual Handling course provides learners with information & instruction on safe manual handling techniques which, if used correctly, may help prevent a back injury.

Course Objectives:
On completion of this course, learners will be able to;

• Define manual handling as per the General Application Regulations 2007
• Be aware of health & safety legislation
• Understand the basic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system
• Use the 8 principles of safe lifting correctly

Course Programme:

• Manual handling legislation – as it applies to the employer & employee
• Dangers of using incorrect manual handling techniques
• Anatomy of the spine & muscular system
• Practice in safe manual handling of loads

Training Methods:

Classroom based presentation with a practical demonstration & practice by learners

Who Should Attend?

Under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, is a legal requirement for

ALL staff involved in manual handling operations to be trained in Manual Handling.

Assessment & Certification:

To receive certification for manual handling, all learners must successfully complete both the theory & practical components of the course. Certificates are valid for three years from date of issue.

Additional Information:

• Maximum of 12 learners
• 3 to 4 hour duration
• Certificate of Competence will be issued to all learners who successfully complete & pass this course
• Price on application. We can also offer group discounts.  

Contact TODAY to secure your place - 046 9012407 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.