IPAF works with QCC to support UAE MEWP inspectors

Earlier this year, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) worked in collaboration with the Quality Conformity Council (QCC) of Abu Dhabi to carry out proficiency testing for third-party Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) inspection companies.

The assessments were spread over four days, and each assessment consisted of a practical element involving function testing, a visual walk-around examination (look, listen, feel) and a theoretical element that was tested via a question paper. The aim of the assessments was to give IPAF and the QCC an idea of the general level of competence of third-party inspectors who were carrying out six-monthly inspections on MEWP equipment.

The project was driven by Jason Woods, IPAF’s Middle East & India Representative, and Osama Ahmed Melham of QCC’s member support department. The assessment days were further supported by Robert Cavaleri, Manlift and IPAF Middle East Regional Council Chairman, Leo Rebelo, Equipment Superintendent & IPAF Instructor at Instant Access, Amit Dsouza from Power Towers, and Shekar Babu of Genie Terex Middle East.

Following successful completion of the assessment sessions, IPAF has proposed an action plan to support the QCC and the wider field of inspection companies throughout the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Countries, allowing inspection engineers to gain further knowledge using IPAF’s Operator (PAL Card) and Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) training modules. The aim is to develop the knowledge and skill-set of all inspectors in this field and to ensure they are equipped to carry out their work safely and effectively.

Jason Woods comments: “There is vastly increased use of MEWP equipment across the Middle East region in the past few years, in particular in the UAE. As well as driving up demand for trained operators that hold valid IPAF PAL Cards, there is as you would expect a commensurate demand for skilled, trained maintenance and inspection engineers to ensure all the MEWP machines in the region are being kept up to date with their inspection, maintenance and thorough examination regimes. As the equipment becomes more advanced and with more and more units to inspect, IPAF appreciates that those tasked with carrying out third-party inspections are in need of some additional support and we are delighted to help provide this in conjunction with our partners in the region.

“The assessment days gave us some very valuable insights, and all involved said they learned something or gained from the experience; we hope to organise more of these days in future and in different locations across the UAE to help support the wider network of inspectors and maintenance engineers in the region.”

There is a short video of one of the UAE assessment days in conjunction with the QCC of Abu Dhabi. It can be viewed online on IPAF's YouTube channel by clicking here.