The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has launched an app for operators of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs), which aims to bring training certification into the digital era.
IPAF’s free ePAL app also allows operators to receive the latest best practice tips and safety information and share their qualifications with site managers quickly and easily.
The app also helps IPAF shift away from issuing plastic, credit-card sized PAL Cards and reduces overall paper usage in its ongoing sustainability goals.
Peter Douglas, managing director and chief executive officer of IPAF, said: “The new app helps us reduce the number of steps in processing a PAL Card and cut down on all that waste, as well as the expense, delays and carbon emissions involved in shipping items around the globe needlessly.
“Developing an operator app has been a key priority for IPAF since I took up post in 2019, and we were excited to team up with IPAF member Trackunit to bring its considerable technical expertise to bear to roll this out.
“IPAF’s ePAL brings huge benefits for operators and IPAF Training Centres alike, while allowing us to streamline and digitise our processes. We are monitoring the roll-out of the new app and are already planning new functionality. These are exciting times.”
Søren Brogaard, chief executive officer of Trackunit, a IPAF member company and a specialist in fleet management solutions for construction which helped develop the app, said: “The app allows IPAF to communicate directly with operators and offers them a digital platform to record, show and share their qualifications and operating experience worldwide. ePAL is a commitment to enable collaboration between the operator and the digital ecosystem.
“We all know filling out paper operator logbooks and keeping them up-to-date can be a challenge. This app provides contractors and operators secure access to equipment and a convenient way to document machine activities. We can also use the app to encourage and make it easier to report an accident or near-miss incident through the new IPAF reporting portal. My hope is we can all contribute to building a safer, digital future for operators.”
IPAF ePAL app is available now in the UK and Ireland. It is initially offered in English with other languages to follow and is available for Apple iOS and Android devices. The app will be updated with additional features as usage demands and developing technology allows.
