Why is training important?
Having a good understanding of the training needed for specific types of machinery and equipment is essential. But some can question why they would need to refresh their training after the fact. After all, they use the equipment daily, so they should know how to use it, right?
Actually, training is necessary to keep individuals updated with procedures and processes which could have changed since their initial training. This can differ from health and safety, hazards and risks, or machine use.
If you would like to understand more about the use of IPAF equipment, and everything you need to know, you can read our other blog post.
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) explains how in the last three years, “…60% of fatalities are attributed to 3a Mobile Vertical machines…”
What can this organisation do to limit the number of fatalities, and reduce the risk of these incidents occurring?
The New Global Campaign for 2024
IPAF announced their new global campaign for 2024 to build additional awareness around the risk of employee entrapment and crushing.
Announced earlier this year, the new global campaign emphasises the causes of these incidents; ranging from poor planning, to lack of training and faulty equipment. The message, “Crushing can Kill” is designed to raise awareness around these “crushing” incidents, as well as to reinforce the importance of consistent, accredited training through an approved training provider, with additional use of IPAF training resources.
This is why it is a necessity to complete the correct Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) training you need to keep yourself, and others safe in the workplace.
proper planning and management are detrimental to safety use when a MEWP is being used to conduct work. All it takes is one person to not complete pre-use checks, or someone to skip risk assessments in the area where the work is being conducted for an incident to occur. Thus, resulting in injury, or in more severe cases, fatality.
No one wins when an incident happens.
This must change.
Other resources which IPAF are supplying include Toolbox talks, best practice documents and familiarisation leaflets.
One core principle for many businesses is to keep workers safe. This also coincides with completing the relevant safety training for both users and managers.
It can feel daunting to not know what checks must be done, especially if the use of MEWPs is fairly new to you.
2 Start provide points regarding staying safe in the workplace when using MEWPs.
Staying Safe
Plan
Complete a risk assessment and identify any hazards in the vicinity of the area in which the work will be completed. Understanding and being familiar with the MEWP which is going to be used will aid in understanding the potential hazards you could face within the work being completed.
A rescue plan is also essential in the event of either an entrapment or crushing situation. This will also include the procedure to manually lower the platform for this type of event. Once again, this must be shared with everyone involved in the task at hand.
Operate
Someone should always be supervising the activity being completed. There must also be a nominated individual who can carry out the rescue plan in place. They will be there to identify any risks throughout the duration of the work being completed. If any immediate risks are noticed, then work must stop immediately. The MEWP must then be lowered safely.
Ground Control
In some cases, variations of 3a and 1b MEWPS can be controlled by an additional worker/operator on the ground. This would only be used when it is not possible to operate from the platform itself. The ground controller must be aware of the surroundings of the MEWP at all times. Once again, at any time, if there is a hazard developing, work must be stopped immediately and the platform must be lowered safely.
2 Start is at the forefront of MEWP safety.
Supplying IPAF Training at our Southampton, Worthing & Havant depots, we reinforce safe MEWP use through both theory and practical learning.
We offer IPAF operator training for 1b Static Boom; 3a Mobile Vertical, and 3b Mobile Boom. We also offer demonstrator training for these three MEWPs.
Our IPAF-accredited instructors support your training journey so that you are compliant within your workplace. Training includes understanding the risks posed before operating a MEWP, and understanding the importance of staying compliant and always following the pre-use checks and additional procedures, which keeps you and your team safe in the workplace.
Become MEWP Safe with 2 Start! Book your IPAF Training course and get your certification today!
Call 02392 123 555, or fill out an enquiry form.
Leave a Reply