IPAF Smart card to improve site safety

International Powered Access Federation launches Smart Powered Access Licence Card

THE International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has launched a ‘Smart’ PAL Card (Powered Access Licence), available in different languages, which is machine-readable and can be used to ensure that only trained operators are able to use mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) on site.

The Smart PAL Card looks the same as the standard PAL Card, which will continue to be issued and accepted on site. The data stored on the new card, such as the operator name, number and categories trained in, are also printed on it. The only difference is that the Smart PAL Card is marked by a wireless icon and has a chip embedded within it.

The data in the chip can be read by a card reader fitted to the machine. The reader can be set up to accept certain data which, in turn, will allow the machine to be operated. These data include whether or not the cardholder (operator) is trained, to what level and in which machine categories.

Using a Smart PAL Card along with a reader device allows control of machine access and thereby improves site safety. Site managers can use the system to ensure that only correctly trained operators can operate MEWPs or MCWPs (mast-climbing work platforms). They can also track who has used which machine for how long, and prevent fraudulent use.

‘The yellow PAL Card is established as a must-have qualification on most job sites and the optional new smartcard technology will bring added benefits,’ said IPAF’s CEO, Tim Whiteman. ‘The Smart PAL Card can be used as part of an electronic logbook of operator experience and can be linked to machine-tracking systems. It brings exciting possibilities to make MEWP access safer and MEWP use more secure.’

Smart PAL Cards have been tested extensively on multiple machines by operators on site. They can be read by virtually all card readers and there are no restrictions on which smart card readers should be used. Operators or companies can specify if they wish to be issued with a Smart PAL Card or a standard PAL Card when booking courses with their IPAF-approved training centre.

PAL Cards are issued to operators who successfully complete the IPAF training programme after passing a written and a practical test. They are valid for five years and show the machine categories that operators have been trained in.

More than 100,000 PAL Cards are issued each year through IPAF-approved training centres worldwide. The PAL Card is accepted widely and recognized as proof of high-quality platform operator training. The validity of a card can be checked by using the online verification tool on the IPAF website.