31.12.2007

New IPAF Categories

The IPAF aerial work platform training programme adopts new lift categories from 1 January 2008. The changes do NOT affect the training already received or existing PAL Card (Powered Access Licences) holders.

IPAF has revised the categories within its programme in order to align with the international standards prEN 280 and ISO DIS 16368, standards that regulate the design and manufacture of access platforms worldwide.

The new IPAF categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations, are:

Static Vertical (1a): Vertical personnel platforms (static)

Static Boom (1b): Self-propelled booms (outriggers), trailers/push-arounds, vehicle-mounted platforms

Mobile Vertical (3a): Scissor lifts, vertical personnel platforms (mobile)

Mobile Boom (3b): Self-propelled booms

Special (SPECIAL): Airport equipment

The following categories continue unchanged:

Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MC)
Insulated Aerial Devices (IAD)
Telehandler Platforms – Integrated (TPI)
Harness Use and Inspection (H)
Loading and Unloading (LOAD)
MEWPs for Managers (MM)

Posters Highlighting the new categories are also available from IPAF for those who want them.
Please register to see all images

The IPAF poster highlighting the new categories

Current PAL Card holders who need to replace lost cards will be issued duplicate cards with the original categories they have been trained in. This is because the categories listed on the PAL Card reflect the training received. Those who re-train or do upgrades from 1 January 2008 onwards will be issued with cards reflecting the new categories.

Site managers can check the validity of PAL Cards by calling the IPAF office.

More than a quarter of a million people worldwide currently hold a valid PAL Card with an additional 70,000 people being trained each year.