This course is intended for anyone who operates a boom type mobile elevating work platform (1b & 3b) and is therefore required to wear a safety harness as part of their work. Both IPAF and the HSE strongly recommend that a full body harness and an adjustable restraint type lanyard is worn whenever operating any form of boom type MEWP. SELECTING THE CORRECT COURSEAccording to IPAF data, falls from the platform is one of the major causes of injury or fatality associated with using MEWPs. Awareness and understanding of how to correctly use a harness is critical to safe operation of boom-type MEWPs. IPAF offers three harness courses to meet the needs of different candidates; Harness Awareness Course (HA) Harness User Course (HU) Harness Inspector Course (HI) Candidates who do not need to personally use or wear a harness should, take only the HA Course (theory training & test) which can be completed remotely as eLearning, or in-person at an IPAF training centre. Candidates typically include managers, planners, safety professionals and supervisors. Candidates who do need to use or wear a harness themselves should first take the HA Course and then attend an IPAF training centre to take their HU Course practical assessment (this can be incorporated into a candidate’s MEWP Operator Course). Candidates are generally MEWP operators. Candidates who are responsible for inspecting their company’s personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) and maintaining inspection records (including those required by law), should first take the HA and HU courses, followed by the HI Course. Candidates are mostly company harness/safety inspectors.
