Byrne Equipment Rental recently carried out the first International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) operator PAL card training in the Middle East based on a new module from the IPAF, which focused on the safe operation of mast climbers from all OEMs and was conducted while observing appropriate Covid-specific guidelines.
According to a statement from Byrne Rental, this follows the company’s successful training activities held at the beginning of this year – the first with IPAF – which focused on hoist training in the Middle East.
The trainings took place at Byrne’s head office in Dubai Industrial City, in the rental major’s fully operational demo area, and was conducted over one full day. Byrne’s large training facility can normally accommodate 28 people but the number of trainees was restricted to six for this particular training, which is the maximum number that can be enrolled in each session while maintaining social distancing in accordance with Covid rules and regulations to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.
The sessions were led by Byrne’s regional manager Simon Hickson, the only certified training instructor for mast climbers and hoists in the Middle East and an accomplished professional in the field with over 21 years’ experience. Hickson delivered training that was well balanced with a mix between theory and practice, and covered in depth the operational procedures for all mast climbers including health and safety aspects, hazards and how to lead by example on site, said Byrne’s statement.
“The practical sessions were integral as they gave each trainee the ability to not only learn but also operate the product in question and in turn fully engage in all aspects surrounding the safe use and operation of the mast climber. Safety aspects were first and foremost the most important message to deliver through the training and a strong focus was on the safe use of the MCWP product and an understanding of safety first at all times,” said Hickson.
An important outcome of the training was to ensure that each operator completed the pre-start sheet as well as daily and weekly checklists to ensure continuity of health and safety standards in the work place going forward.
