Ken McDougall's Powered Access Licence card

The possibility of setting global training standards for aerial-work-platform (AWP) operators has activated senior managers of some North American AWP makers and rental firms.

Representatives from six manufacturers and 10 rental companies met on 11 November in Rosemont near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to pinpoint the need and possible avenues toward standards.

Participants reviewed existing national and international regulations and standards, heard how other industries address training and discussed aspects of training.

Multiple issues were found, and the managers determined a need to review activities of other trade groups, governmental agencies and unions that have involvement with AWP operator training and best-practice benchmarking.

In an unofficial capacity, the Milnthorpe, England-based International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) convened the meeting, agreed with participants to work on the research and planned to set up another meeting during the American Rental Association show from 2-5 March in Atlanta, Georgia.

An APEX 2008 keynote address of industry executive Ken McDougall prompted the Rosemont meeting. McDougall is president of equipment manufacturer Skyjack Inc of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, a unit of Linamar Corp since its purchase in 2002.

"Operator training is paramount to ensuring the access industry is made safer," notes McDougall during his 17 September APEX remarks in Maastricht, the Netherlands. "The more educated and trained we can have all operators of access equipment globally trained to a documented standard, the better off the access industry is."

McDougall suggests that a global standardised and accredited training program is the best way to ensure implementing training on a consistent basis.

"We will not ensure uniformity and consistency in training by conducting 'back of the truck' sessions that may vary depending on the allotted time and the skill of the person conducting the training," McDougall observes. "Although this type of training is not globally mandated, it is up to us to actively support and encourage training through all levels of the organisation."

In 2006, McDougall completed an IPAF-approved AWP training program and received his powered access licence or PAL card. "Our training people didn't cut me any slack," he says. "Skyjack supports the IPAF AWP training program globally."

While IPAF issues more than 70,000 PAL cards annually, the senior managers look beyond the audited and TÜV-certified IPAF program for meaningful standardisation of AWP operator training.