Thoughts on IPAF & PASMA Training?

[Peter Normington]

Kevin,
do you think they will offer you an advantage?
if you do, then go for it, what others think should not be relevant, as training and certificates only apply if you need them to continue and promote your own business,
just my opinion

Peter

[Kevin Flowers]

Pete
i’m doing them because of work that i’m doing in Ford Motor Plant, was just curious if other people considered doing them or not. The bonus for me is it will help promote the corporate business i do. All companies seem to be asking for more qualifications, more insurance. My local Volvo truck dealer has now changed to requiring a certificate for 5 million liability cover, proof of H&S training for all sub contractors working on there site etc.
Has i say i was just curious on every ones own views not as a basis of making my decision on, but just to gauge general opinions through the signtrade.

Kev

[Craig Brown]

Hi Kev – I now have an IPAF card because it seems to be the only way you can prove you are competent to use the access equipment to fit signs at height. It goes hand in hand with method statements and risk assessments and just means that the site foreman or utility manager on site has covered themselves in case you have an accident…and in this day and age of litigation and it’s not my fault mentality who can blame them for covering their backsides.

[Russell Spencer]

It all depends on your client base really. If you deal with large building companies or Blue chip types then yes it is essential.
If you are doing shop fronts mostly then I would say not, however councils are supposed to be clamping down if you work off a pavement but we have never been questioned.
If you can afford it then do them, in a few years I think it will be mandatory, thats the way the industry is going.
But to be honest the course we did was a farce, we may have well just payed the money and they sent us a card and certificate, the instructor pretty much gave us the answers to the exam.