Why Should MEWP Operators get IPAF Certification?

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.

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What is a MEWP?MEWP Training

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:

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.