IPAF continues to comply with MEWP training standards

IPAF continues to comply with ISO 18878:2004 Mobile elevating work platforms - Operator (driver) training. No non-conformities were found and IPAF passed the on-site audit held at the end of July at HSS, an IPAF-approved training centre in Solihull, UK.

An auditor from the international certification organisation TÜV visited IPAF-approved training centre HSS and observed an operator course for the MEWP categories 3a and 3b that was conducted by IPAF-certified instructor Harold Harrison.

"The conformity to all the requirements of ISO 18878 was completely affirmed," stated audit team leader Paul Latham from TÜV in the audit report. "Implementation of the standard's requirements is plausible and suitable, and could be reliably ascertained during the audit."

The audit report highlighted positive aspects such as IPAF's continued development of the training programme, operations manual and instructors through involvement and feedback with technical committees, manufacturers, associations and members; IPAF's certification as ISO 9001:2008 compliant; its strong surveillance system; clear customer focus with full compliance to applicable regulations; and team approach to improvements involving training centres and customers.

"A TÜV auditor has actually observed a training course being conducted on-site," noted IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. "This is our customers' guarantee of quality-our voluntary submission to on-site audit by TÜV is unique and goes far beyond a check of paperwork held in our head office. The confirmation of compliance with ISO 18878 is an endorsement of our accredited training centres and our own internal auditing and quality control-together these deliver the best available training."