Posted By Jason McQueen Can anyone clarify the training requirements for the use of MEWP's? I was under the impression that any training could be provided by any training agency in relation to MEWP's providing that it ensured the competence of the operators. However, reading the HSE Construction Information Sheet N0 58, it states 'All MEWP operators sohuld have attended a recognised operator training course. On successful completion of the course they wil receive a certificate, card or licence, eg IPAF's Powered Access Licence or Construction Skills CPCS card...' Now to me the use of the word recognised here is key and steers the requirements firmly towards IPAF or CPCS and suggests that any training provided by A.N.Other will be deemed as inappropriate due to it not being 'recognised' should it ever be called into question. This eliminates many smaller training providers who could quite possibly deliver as good, if not better training themselves. Also, having received quotes from both IPAF and a local trainer who delivers our RTITB forklift trainer who can also provide MEWP training in scissor and boom type platforms, the cost is ten fold. Obviously I would have to ensure that the course content from the local provider is adequate but other than that, wheres the issues?

Posted By Jason McQueen That was my thinking too. Provided the instructor and the content was competent/relevant/applicable, where is the problem? Its just a bit offputting when the offical documentation steers you towards one specific provider. Or is this a case of the HSE would like you to use one of these organisations but couldnt actually enforce it or have any real come back providing, as I posted, the content and instructor was competent.

Posted By Jason McQueen No, its only for on site authorisation. I appreciate that construction sites would be different. Where you can have many subs on site, it makes sense to have and stipulate one standard.