AWPT scores new mast climbing members

Two mast climber specialist companies are among new members of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), parent company of Aerial Work Platform Training Inc (AWPT).

Canadian manufacturer Fraco Products and Boston–based mast climber training company, Northeast Work Platform Training, have both joined the organization and are planning to offer AWPT training for erectors and dismantlers of mast climbers.

Northeast Work Platform Training's Principal Tom Lawler said he joined IPAF because there was no mast climbing training in his region, where the training company officially opened this January in Dorchester, MA just outside of Boston.

“We're really in the early stages and trying to get the word out that we're open,” said Lawler, who said the advantages of AWPT is that the training offers legitimacy and that the training materials are available in international standards. “Plus all the information is available in several languages, so having it in Spanish is a benefit,” he said.

Fraco, along with longer–standing IPAF members Alimak Hek and Mastclimbers LLC, both of Atlanta, GA, are opening or already have opened training centers for mast climbing work platforms.

AWPT training is designed to meet state and federal requirements for operator training and includes a mix of theory, practice and testing. Successful trainees receive a Powered Access Licensed–Registration (PAL) card.