An audit system is the backbone of IPAF’s training programme
he MEWP operator training programme offered by IPAF training centres is not just certified as
conforming to ISO 18878. It is also backed by auditing and quality management systems which ensure that standards are met. “Without its rigorous system of internal
and external audits, IPAF’s MEWP operator training programme would just be another training scheme,” says Giles Councell, director of operations at IPAF. “Auditing is more than a checkbox exercise.
It is about defining processes and procedures on how training should be delivered, and having checks and controls in place to ensure that the standard of training delivered is at the level required.” All active IPAF-approved training centres are
subject to quality audits and expected to meet stringent quality procedures. There are three types of audits: initial audits of facilities, annual surveillance audits and unannounced audits. Active training centres receive a
surveillance visit each year. This involves a review of the training facilities and identification of any corrective action needed. The auditor also examines the training paperwork and instructors’ records to verify compliance with training centre requirements. “Auditing has two main functions,” Councell
explains. “First, ensuring that requirements are met and second, providing support to training centres as part of a process of continual improvement. IPAF auditors are expected to follow our rules and systems to the letter.” Most non-conformities are minor, such as
errors in paperwork or training centres not sending out the correct information to their customers. These are usually rectified promptly and the auditors see a pattern of continual improvement in their subsequent visits. Unannounced visits are selected at random by the auditing team. The auditor assesses
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the day’s training session, observing both the theory and the practical parts. “Unannounced visits are a useful measure
of the instructor’s ability, knowledge, expertise and delivery of the course,” says Amanda Wild, branch manager of Generation Training Services, which received an unannounced visit recently. “Clients demand high quality training from providers and the audits provide valuable feedback as to the quality of training we are delivering.” IPAF auditors operate internationally and
phone surveys of individual customers trained at IPAF-approved training centres are also used as part of the ongoing customer satisfaction monitoring required. “On rare occasions, we have had to remove
instructor or training centre licences,” Councell recalls. “This would be for serious breaches such
as running courses that fall short of the minimum hours, or running courses with more than the stipulated maximum number of candidates. Such cases are rare, as instructors and training centres take their job seriously and are very aware of the negative impact this could have on their career. Knowing that you could be caught during an unannounced audit does keep you on your toes and up to the mark.” n
Standards met: ISO 18878 and ISO 9001
IPAF complies with ISO 18878:2004 Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training. This was affirmed through an on-site audit in July 2011 at IPAF-approved training centre HSS in Solihull, UK. An auditor from the international
certification organisation TÜV observed an operator course for the MEWP categories 3a and 3b conducted by an IPAF-certified instructor on that day. No non-conformities were found. IPAF also meets the ISO 9001:2008
Quality management systems standard, having passed the annual surveillance and re-certification audit by ISOQAR. The audit covered the provision of services, support, assistance and general guidance to IPAF members and the powered access industry as a whole. ISO 9001 relates to quality systems
within businesses and IPAF has been independently audited against this standard since 2003. ISO 18878 relates specifically to MEWP operator training.