What are thorough examinations and who is competent to carry them out? We look at the legal basis, common practice and the IPAF CAP Card (Competent Assessed Person) programme
inspections, and demonstrate impartiality, integrity and independence from other related functions such as maintenance. The competent person may use an
examination scheme if appropriate. In addition, a thorough examination must be performed following exceptional circumstances that may jeopardise the safety of the equipment: for instance, following damage that may result in major repair or modification, after installation at a new site and before being put into service. A report is required by law as an official
record of thorough examination. This report should be kept for two years for MEWPs. For MCWPs the report should be kept until the equipment ceases to be used in that particular location. IPAF’s Competent Assessed Person
(CAP) programme assesses and certifies the competence level of people conducting thorough examinations of access platforms. CAP assesses candidates to establish their theoretical and practical competence, providing candidates with up-to-date guidance on how to plan, implement and record thorough examinations. CAP candidates are usually experienced
service and maintenance engineers. A CAP assessment takes one day. The assessor covers all aspects of thorough examinations, including requirements and formulation of thorough examinations, performance of thorough examinations, thorough examination records and defect reporting. Candidates take two written tests and
R
egular thorough examinations of all lifting equipment are a legal requirement in the UK under the
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998. The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) 2005 add to this requirement with reference to working platforms. In the UK, lifting equipment used to lift
people – and this includes mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP) or mast climbing work platforms (MCWP), telehandlers with baskets and cranes with personnel baskets – must have a competent person carry out a thorough examination every six months. It is against the law for any person or company to use, or to allow to be used,
maintenance inspection. It involves visual inspection, functional testing and measurement as necessary, to assess the condition of the MEWP or MCWP. Thorough examinations are intended
to establish whether or not the MEWP or MCWP can continue to be used safely. This includes assessing the correct function of all safety devices and identifying defects or weaknesses that could compromise the safe use of the equipment. Under the legislation, all users are
responsible for ensuring that no access equipment is used that does not have a current examination report. They are also responsible for arranging for examinations to be carried out by a competent person who is responsible
IT IS AGAINST UK LAW FOR ANYONE TO USE, OR ALLOW TO BE USED, POWERED ACCESS EQUIPMENT WITHOUT DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF A SIX-MONTHLY THOROUGH EXAMINATION BY A COMPETENT PERSON
powered access equipment that does not have documented evidence of such an examination. The only exception is when an MEWP or MCWP is less than six months old from the date when it was first put into service – in which case the machine is covered by its Declaration of Conformity to the Machinery Directive. A thorough examination is not the same as a regular daily check, a weekly inspection or a
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for the examinations and for advising the authorities if there is imminent risk of serious personal injury. Competent persons in the UK can be
second parties (usually the manufacturer’s, hirer’s or owner’s engineers) or third parties. They should have appropriate experience and knowledge to make judgements on safe condition and remedial actions, necessary qualifications and training to carry out
complete a practical exercise, concluding with an individual interview/assessment. If successful, they are awarded the CAP Card, valid for five years. This certifies that the holder has been independently assessed as a competent person with the knowledge and ability to plan, manage and carry out thorough examinations of access platforms. n
More information on the CAP programme can be found at www.ipaf.org/cap