IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection Course (HA, HU, HI)

Overview

Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) are used on a range of construction sites and warehouses. One of the most common dangers with working at height is the risk of falling from the platform, so it’s important to understand how to carry out your work safely.

Whether you work on a MEWP or are responsible for inspecting safety equipment, you should be able to recognise the most suitable harness for the job. You should also make sure equipment is well-maintained, regularly inspected and stored correctly, to keep yourself and your colleagues safe.

This 1-day IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection Course will take you through everything you need to know about harnesses and lanyards – from a general awareness of different types, how to fit and adjust them, what your legal responsibilities are and how to inspect them for safe use on site.

As this working at height safety course is split into three sections, you’ll leave at the end of the day with three new IPAF qualifications in Harness Awareness (HA), Harness User (HU) and Harness Inspection (HI).

• Applicants should be at least 16 years old, physically fit and have a good understanding of the English language. 
• Delegates need to bring their own harness and lanyard so it can be used for demonstration purposes.

All IPAF certification will now be issued electronically via ePAL.  Students will be required to download the app onto their device to access any certification they hold with IPAF.  Should a physical PAL card and/or certificate be required, this must be requested at time of booking and will be charged at an extra cost.  It is recommended delegates download the app prior to course commencement.

Objectives

By the end of this IPAF training covering Harness Awareness, Harness User and Harness Inspection you will:

• Be able to identify a range of Person Fall Protective Equipment (PFPE)
• Choose the right harness for the job
• Understand the risks of working from MEWPs
• Know how to check harnesses before use
• Explain the importance of storing harnesses and lanyards correctly
• Be able to fit and adjust a harness and lanyard effectively
• Recognise suitable anchor points on MEWPs

Agenda

This one-day course is made up of three qualifications, which cover the following topics:

Harness Awareness (HA) & Harness User (HU):

• An introduction to MEWPs and harnesses
• The hierarchy of Person Fall Protective Equipment (PFPE)
• Getting to grips with harness systems
• Choosing a harness and lanyard
• Safe anchor points
• The hazards of boom platforms and vertical platforms
• Carrying out pre-use checks
• Safety risks and rescue
• Donning and doffing
• Cleaning and storing harnesses
• Theory test
• Practical test

Harness Inspection:

• An introduction to harness inspections
• Inspections required by law
• How to carry out detailed inspections
• Longevity and obsolescence
• How to spot damage
• The criteria for failure
• Inspection reports
• Practical test including group discussion, inspection and documentation
• Open book exam

Assessment

At the end of each module, you’ll take a theory test and/or a practical assessment, to measure your understanding. Once each section is successfully passed, you’ll receive a qualification in Harness Awareness (HA), Harness User (HU) and Harness Inspection (HI).

Details of the assessments you’ll take on the day include:

Harness Awareness: An open book exam made up of 30 questions. Delegates are required to achieve 80% or more to pass.

Harness User: This is a practical assessment which includes pre-use checks, fitting and adjusting a harness and lanyard, and attaching the harness to an appropriate anchor point on a MWEP.

Harness Inspection: Assessed by practical assessment which includes inspecting a harness and lanyard, group discussion, demonstration and the completion of relevant documentation.

Final Assessment: All delegates are required to sit an open book exam made up of 10 questions. The pass mark is 80% or more.

Successful delegates will be able to access their IPAF Certificate, which is valid for 5 years, via the ePAL app. Delegates who have already successfully completed an IPAF Operator Course will have each Harness category added to their electronic PAL Card.  Should a physical PAL card and/or certificate be required, this must be requested at time of booking and will be charged at an extra cost.

Who Should Attend?

If you work at height, or are responsible for signing off harnesses for use on boom-type MEWPs, this course is for you. It’s vital you know how to carry out thorough safety checks and keep accurate inspection records.

Suggested Progression

IPAF MEWPs for Managers

Accreditation

IPAF - International Powered Access Federation

Prerequisites

Applicants should be at least 16 years old, physically fit and have a good understanding of the English language.  Delegates will need to bring their own harness and lanyard for demonstration purposes