A new course aimed at those managing, planning or commissioning the use of mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) or construction hoists (CHs) has been launched by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

The course has been made available following intensive development and is designed to mirror the popular MEWPs for Managers course currently available as eLearning, classroom-based or instructor-led remote learning via IPAF approved training centres.  

Paul Roddis, IPAF training manager, said, “IPAF is proud to announce that the new one-day IPAF Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) & Construction Hoists (CHs) for Managers training course launched on Monday, 31 January 2022. 

“Candidates will learn the differences between categories, limitations and advantages of each, and how to select a suitable supplier. The course also covers how to manage installation, use, maintenance, training, inspection, thorough examination, and dismantling of MCWPs and hoists, safely and effectively.

“It is initially available in English, in instructor-led format. The content has been created to provide candidates with the skills required to plan, manage and oversee the use of MCWPs and construction hoists on site. IPAF intends to continue to develop this course into eLearning and to add language translations once the initial roll-out is complete.

“This new course fills an acknowledged gap in industry training and adds to IPAF’s growing global training programme. Last year, despite a slow start owing to the pandemic, IPAF certified more training candidates in the powered access industry than ever before; adding new courses will continue to complement IPAF’s market-leading, ISO-accredited training offer.”

Ángel Ibáñez, IPAF’s representative for MCWPs and related products, said, “I welcome this new training option for those planning and managing MCWP and hoist operations; it has been developed with the assistance of the IPAF training department and external partners, including many of our dedicated MCWP and hoist members, and I thank all involved for bringing this indispensable new course to the market.

“Last year was a record year in terms of IPAF MCWP training, with our approved training centres around the world delivering well in excess of 2,000 PAL cards for the first time ever – despite the pandemic and a very slow start to the year in many countries, owing to continuing restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

“It’s a common misconception that planning, operating and overseeing the use of MCWPs and hoists is a simple, even fool-proof process, where nothing much can go wrong once the machines are erected. However, our experienced specialist equipment rental and manufacturer members will tell you this couldn’t be further from the truth!

“Untrained and inexperienced operators and supervisors increase the risk of unsafe operations, which in turn lead to accidents on site and damage being caused to rented machines, which is costly to rectify and can cause significant delays to work projects as repairs are effected or new machines brought into place.

“I am sure our members and the wider construction industry will welcome this valuable addition to IPAF’s burgeoning specialist training offer. It’s another step towards ensuring safe and effective operations of MCWPs and hoists on site. Thanks go to all those members who gave their time to work with IPAF to develop this new course.”

Click here for details of the new MCWP and Construction Hoist for Managers training course, and here to find an IPAF training centre near you.