USING A CHERRY PICKER – LEGAL

[David Hammond]

Technically yes. You can hire them without IPAF.

Trouble is when an accident occurs first thing HSE will ask is where is your training for the cherry picker or where is your IPAF qualification.

Even having IPAF the HSE will make sure you did it by the book, if you did your OK, if not the finger of blame is pointed.

All employees should be trained to use any piece of equipment they use. Google PUWER 1998.

(Can you tell we did our PASMA not long ago 😆 )

[Phill Fenton]

This is a common misconception. The law states that the user must be competently trained to operate the equipment. I suppose the IPAF qualification is a good indication that this is the case, but you don’t actually need to have an IPAF certificate by law in order to operate a cherry picker. There is a subtle difference.

[Chris Tennant]

If on private land and youve been given permission and a demo on how to safely operate you should be fine.
Im ipaf certified, we hire out our cherry picker al the time

[Kevin Mahoney]

quote Phill Fenton:

This is a common misconception. The law states that the user must be competently trained to operate the equipment. I suppose the IPAF qualification is a good indication that this is the case, but you don’t actually need to have an IPAF certificate by law in order to operate a cherry picker. There is a subtle difference.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Hi everyone.
We have a pal who has his own cherry picker (a nifty lift 120 12 metre jobbie) & he’s suggested we use it whenever we like for free! Only problem is that I’ve been told I need a license & insurance to even tow it let alone use it. Called a guy who deals with the licensing & was told "send me a photo, ni number & payment, & pick your license up tomorrow " when I asked if I should bring our cherry picker he replied "what for? Do you think you need to?" My response was that although I felt pretty competent, I would like a rubber stamp to say I had actually been trained. He kind of lost interest after that & im not in the habit of putting myself or staff in harms way (or the courts way for that matter) for a few quids worth of fitting. Would love to have this kit available but seems like a lot of red tape & liability, what are your thoughts?

[David Hammond]

It’s how to prove competency, IPAF/PASMA/CSCS are supposed to set a standard, but following your course you’re free to do what you like. Bit like a driving test.

Also check your insurance, as you may be insured to work at a maximum height.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Hi David. We are insured to work at first floor so I guess that would mean a considerable hike in my premium but I’m wondering if it’s worth the extra expense & physical risk for very little reward. I quoted a job recently where a clients acylic letters had the age old problem of the nylon cups breaking down over 7-8 years outdoors. The letters let go, fell 15 metres down, cut through the roof of a 40’trailer being loaded underneath & narrowly missed an employee with a sack truck inside the trailer. My quote was turned down for a guy using ropes & a harness. Good luck with that fixing template. I value our necks a bit more than that!

[David Hammond]

We’re insured to 10m, and can add additional cover on for usually for free when we have specific jobs above that.

With the right gear the physical risk should be minimal, using a tower/cherry picker, IMHO is safer than balancing up a ladder. We’ve been there and done that, and it’s simply not worth taking the risk.

90% of customers aren’t fussed about what course you’ve done, but the ones where they stipulate it means you can compete for jobs with less competition, and usually charge a premium for having the ticket.

Depends if you can have the time & inclination to sit the course, submit risk & method statements, and jump through the hoops.

[Philip Gibbs]

I’ve always wanted to play with a cherry picker but the legality has always been a concern.

If the cherry picker isn’t tall enough does the ipaf test advise using ladders on top?