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    IPAF Training

    The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) training programme is globally recognised, developed by leading industry professionals and available in multiple languages across a worldwide network of more than 900 

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    Privacy Policy

    This policy is valid as of 25 April 2022. It is reviewed periodically and at least annually to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and legislative requirements defined by law, where appropriate. It is applicable for the following users:

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    Become an IPAF Approved Training Centre

    Why provide training

    • IPAF training is in demand and is good business for you; you can earn additional revenue and set the course fees for the training you provide.
    • Help improve safety in the workplace; most legislation, covering health and safety obligations, accident prevent

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    Auditing Training Centres

    All active IPAF training centres are subject to quality audits and expected to meet stringent quality procedures. This ensures that training is delivered to high standards on a consistent basis throughout the world. 

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    The PAL Card

    What is a PAL Card? 

    A PAL Card is a Powered Access Licence for operating Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) or Construction Hoists (CHs).

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    CAP Certification

    What is CAP?   

    CAP stands for 'competent assessed person'.

  • News

    IPAF offers webinar and white paper on new North American standards

    A webinar and updated white paper aimed at helping companies to become compliant with new North American standards on the design, safe use and training of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) have been published by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

  • Publication

    IPAF Annual Report

    The IPAF Annual Report gives an overview of the year's activities and achievements.

    Added 20 Apr 2023
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

  • Report

    MEWP fatalities decline as global rental market grows

    The fatal injury rate (FIR) for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) declined in 2016, despite the fact that the total MEWP rental fleet and the number of rental days worldwide increased significantly over the same period.

  • 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.

    Some sites do however require a health and safety test prior to working on their site. See: http://www.cskills.org/supportbusiness/healthsafety/test/index.aspx

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 5827: Who is the legal owner of the PAL Card?

    PAL Cards remain the property of International Powered Access Federation Ltd.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 5837: What category does an underbridge unit come under?

    There are four basic types of underbridge unit:

    1. Gantry type: IPAF category = Special

    2. Static boom type: IPAF category =  Static Boom (1b) 
    Type 1: Travelling is only allowed with the MEWP in its transport position. Group B: MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of area of the platform at the maximum chassis inclination specified by the manufacturer may be outside the tipping lines. 

    3. Mobile boom type: IPAF category = Mobile Boom (3b)
    Type 3: Travelling with raised work platform is controlled from a point of control at the work platform. Group B: MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of area of the platform at the maximum chassis inclination specified by the manufacturer may be outside the tipping lines.

    4. Boom type with travelling with raised work platform controlled from a point of control at the chassis (Type 2): IPAF category = Special.

  • 5838: Does the operator course include harness training?

    The IPAF MEWP Operator Training course is specifically designed to train people to operate MEWPs however, as a part of the content the course includes a short section of basic harness training on these areas:

    - Before use: Pre-use checks of a harness and lanyard, checking for proof of Statutory Inspection
    - Harness wearing: How to put a harness on
    - Harness adjustment: Ensuring candidates have no slack in a correctly fitted harness
    - Lanyard adjustment: Adjusting for machine and candidate
    - Attachment to MEWP: Designated anchor point and karabiner locked
    - IPAF technical guidance H1 on harnesses

    Harness inspection is not covered in the IPAF MEWP Operator Training course.

    For any person that needs comprehensive harness training, IPAF offers awareness level harness training suitable for everyone, user level training for those that will use a harness in a MEWP, and inspector level training for those that will be required to conduct Statutory Inspections of PFPE for use in a MEWP. Click here to learn more

  • 5839: Does a passenger in a MEWP require a licence before they can go in a MEWP?

    No, only the operator requires a licence. However, the passenger will be required to wear the correct PPE.

  • 5840: Is it acceptable when in the platform of a MEWP to stand on a guard rail?

    No.

  • 5841: Is it appropriate to exit the MEWP platform when working at height?

    No, unless a rigorous risk assessment carried out as part of planning the job indicates that this is the safest and most effective means of accessing a particular location, taking into account the availability on site of other more suitable access equipment and the practicability of providing the same within the required timescales for the task to be carried out.

    See IPAF's technical guidance E2 on exiting the platform at height and this extract from BS 8460 (the British Standard on “Safe use of MEWPs – Code of practice”) on the subject.

  • 5842: How frequently should a MEWP be inspected?

    A MEWP should be inspected, and the inspection documented, every morning prior to use. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, Regulation 9 states that: 

    • "Every employer shall ensure that lifting equipment which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is-" 
    • "Thoroughly examined-" 
    • "In the case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months."

  • 5843: Who is responsible for ground conditions?

    It varies from job to job - check. 
    Invariably the party paying for the MEWP will be responsible - so check the ground conditions. 
    Assuming otherwise could be expensive if not accounted for in the quote.

  • 5845: Do I have to wear a harness or life jacket when working over water in a MEWP?

    Working next to or over water must be assessed to identify whether the greatest risk of injury to the operator is from falling from the MEWP basket or drowning if the MEWP falls into the water.  The decision can then be made as to whether it is most appropriate to wear a harness to address the fall risk or whether a harness should not be worn due to the risk of drowning. Life jackets, not harnesses, should be worn where there is a risk of drowning.