AFI approved for Smart PAL card

UK rental company AFI has been approved to issue the new IPAF Smart PAL card for people successfully completing the IPAF Operator and IPAF Demonstrator courses.

AFI worked closely with IPAF to trial the Smart PAL card as part of AFI’s launch of SmartZone, a device that ensures mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) cannot be operated by anyone who has not been properly trained or authorised to use them.

The new Smart PAL Card looks the same as the standard PAL Card but has a wireless icon and a chip embedded in it. The data in the chip can be read by the SmartZone unit providing information on the training history of the operator.

AFI major projects manager John Robertson said, “We are seeing increasing interest in SmartZone and the IPAF Smart PAL card as contractors look at new ways of improving safety and security on site.

“Site managers can use the system to ensure that only correctly trained operators have access to specific MEWPs. They can also track who has used which machine for how long, and prevent fraudulent use. Operators and contractors can also prevent unauthorised people from using machines that they are responsible for under the rental contract.”