IPAF has officially launched their new ePAL mobile 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 and reduce the environmental impact involved in issuing the International Powered Access Federation’s (IPAF) PAL Card and certifications.
Soft launched back in April, IPAF’s new app is free to use and features the first ever digital IPAF PAL Card, operator log book, and operator safety guide. It also provides operators the latest best practice tips and safety information, and allows operators can share their qualifications with site managers quickly and easily.
The ePAL app is a major step forward in IPAF’s ongoing drive to boost sustainability, as it shifts away from issuing plastic, credit-card-sized PAL Cards to every training candidate successfully completing or renewing an IPAF operator course. The app also phases out paper certification of qualifications and replaces the printed paper version of IPAF’s operator safety guide.
Peter Douglas, IPAF CEO and managing director, says, “A typical year’s output in terms of IPAF PAL Cards and certificates issued used to amount to a 130-meter (426-foot) stack of printed plastic and paper, shipped from supplier to IPAF to the IPAF Training Center, and then on to candidates. Then, after five years, the candidate would dispose of it and start again!"
He continues, “The new app will lead to us reducing 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."
Søren Brogaard, CEO of Trackunit, says, “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 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.”
The 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.
Information provided by IPAF and edited by Alexis Sheprak.
