Demand has heightened for powered access operating training accredited by the International Powered Access Federation and delivered by IPAF members in French following the introduction of new design, safe-use and training standards in Canada that became effective in May of this year.
Currently there are two IPAF training centers in the predominantly French-speaking province, and both are proving instrumental in meeting this demand. Accès Location and Location Ideal have both been busy delivering French-language IPAF-approved instruction in the region since early 2018. IPAF PAL cards are being issued in French to candidates on successful completion of their mobile elevating work platforms operator training.
“Since May 2018, the updated CSA standards have been in effect, in particular the training standard places new emphasis on employers and those planning and managing temporary work at height using MEWPs to ensure their employees and operatives are adequately trained, which has really highlighted employers’ responsibilities,” said Christine Lell, IPAF’s representative for Quebec. “This has in turn generated a great deal of interest in IPAF’s training program, as it complies with international standards adopted by CSA B354 standards in Canada, so is ready-made to help deliver compliance, and it is available along with the full suite of classroom and eLearning support modules in French. IPAF’s smart PAL Card is the most widely recognized MEWP-operator qualification in the world, with around 750,000 valid PAL cards currently in circulation.”
“Accès Location and Location Ideal have been delivering IPAF operator training and are working hard as IPAF’s pioneers in Quebec, helping companies become compliant with the new standard and ensuring operators have the instruction they need to work safely and efficiently using MEWPs,” said Tim Whiteman, CEO and managing director of IPAF. “It’s very encouraging to see the positive safety culture in Quebec and that powered access companies and users are embracing the requirements of the new safety standards.
“Since the new CRA standards came into effect, IPAF has also received many expressions of interest across the region from would-be approved training centers looking to join IPAF and become accredited to deliver training, and we will actively be engaging with all interested parties in the province over the next few weeks.”