Updated Italian regulations will raise training standards

IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) said that it welcomed Italy's updated regulations on the safe use of work equipment in the Italian Health and Safety Act 81/2008.

The updated regulations define training requirements for workers using machinery that is considered potentially dangerous under Italian law, including MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms). This is seen as a significant step forward in promoting safety in the powered access industry.

The new regulations, which will come into force in the early part of next year, set out qualitative and quantitative criteria on how training should be carried out. Training should consist of a legal, a technical and a practical module. The regulations also specify the type of entities that are eligible, subject to accreditation, to provide training.

IPAF has been closely involved for nearly two years in discussions with the Italian Ministry of Labour and other institutions, both in the drafting of the regulations and in examining how the IPAF training programme meets the Italian requirements and how IPAF-approved training centres in Italy can be accredited under the regulations.

"I am pleased to confirm that IPAF training meets and sometimes exceeds the Italian requirements and that all training delivered retains its validity and high standards," said IPAF chief executive officer Tim Whiteman. "I am glad that the collaboration with the Italian institutions has led to the implementation of a recognised national training system that will go a long way in improving safety on work sites."

The new regulations are the focus of the IPAF Italian National Forum to be held on 28 March in Rome, Italy. The Forum will be held in Italian with no translation. More information is at www.ipaf.org/events