IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection

The IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection course is designed to provide participants with essential knowledge and skills for the safe use, inspection, and maintenance of safety harnesses when working at height. This course is particularly relevant for those using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) and other equipment where fall protection is required.

Key aspects of the course include:

• Harness Awareness: Understanding the importance of harness use, the risks involved when working at height, and the role of harnesses in preventing falls.
• Correct Use: Learning how to properly wear, adjust, and attach harnesses to ensure maximum safety and comfort while working at height.
• Inspection and Maintenance: Understanding how to conduct thorough inspections of harnesses, identifying wear and damage, and knowing when to replace or maintain harness equipment to ensure it remains in a safe working condition.

This course is ideal for anyone working in environments where fall protection is required, ensuring that participants can work safely, effectively, and in compliance with industry regulations. Upon completion, participants will have a strong understanding of harness safety, correct usage, and proper inspection protocols.

What can I expect from the IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection Training course?

The IPAF Harness Awareness, User, and Inspection training course equips participants with essential knowledge and practical skills for the safe use, management, and inspection of harnesses and lanyards when working with Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Here's what you can expect from the course:

Harness Awareness and User:

Knowledge of Personal Protection: Learn to identify and select appropriate harnesses and lanyards for use in MEWPs.

Theoretical Understanding: Understand how to check, use, maintain, and store harnesses and lanyards in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

Fitting and Adjustment: Gain a theoretical understanding of how to fit and adjust harnesses and lanyards for safe use.

Practical Skills:

• Perform correct pre-use checks of harnesses and lanyards.
• Demonstrate the correct fitting and adjustment of a harness for MEWP use.
• Identify the proper anchor point and adjust the lanyard effectively.

Harness Inspection:

Inspection Competence: Learn to conduct periodic and interim inspections of harnesses and lanyards.

Record Keeping: Understand how to maintain accurate records of inspections and their results.

This course ensures participants are fully prepared to use and inspect harnesses safely in MEWP operations.

Are there any entry requirements for the IPAF Harness Awareness, User and Inspection training course?

There are generally no formal entry requirements for the IPAF Harness Awareness, User, and Inspection course. However, participants are typically expected to:

• Understand Basic English: A good understanding of both spoken and written English is necessary to follow instructions and complete the assessments.
• Be Physically Capable: Delegates should be physically able to use and inspect harnesses, as the course involves practical exercises.

Additionally, while prior experience working at height or using personal fall protection equipment is not mandatory, it may be beneficial for participants to have some basic knowledge of working in height-related environments.

The IPAF Harness Awareness, User, and Inspection Training course is assessed through a combination of theory tests and practical assessments. Here's a breakdown of how the course is assessed:

Harness Awareness (HA) Theory Assessment:

Content Covered: Introduction to harness systems, hierarchy of fall protection equipment, pre-use checks, hazards in boom and vertical platforms, donning and doffing, cleaning, and storage.

Theory Test:

• Format: Individual, 30-question, open-book, written test.
• Pass Requirement: A score of at least 80% (24 out of 30 correct answers).

Harness User Practical Assessment:

Focus: This practical assessment evaluates the delegate’s ability to apply their knowledge from the Harness Awareness theory in real-life scenarios.

Practical Tasks:

• Conducting a pre-use check of a harness and lanyard.
• Correctly fitting and adjusting the harness and lanyard for use in a MEWP.
• Attaching the lanyard to the correct anchor point in a MEWP and adjusting it to provide effective restraint.

Assessment Method: The instructor observes and assesses the tasks, marking each as correct or incorrect.

Harness Inspection Theory Assessment:

Content Covered: Introduction to statutory inspections, types of inspections, damage identification, longevity, and criteria for failure.

Theory Test:

• Format: Individual, 10-question, open-book, written test.
• Pass Requirement: A score of at least 80% (8 out of 10 correct answers).

Harness Inspection Practical Assessment:

Focus: Evaluates the delegate’s ability to inspect harnesses, lanyards, and connectors and complete the required documentation.

Practical Tasks:

• Inspect 2 harnesses, 2 lanyards or SRLs, and 2 connectors.
• Complete associated inspection documentation.

Assessment Method: The instructor observes the inspection process and reviews the accuracy of the completed documentation.

Successfully passing both the theory and practical assessments ensures that delegates have the required knowledge and competence to safely use and inspect harnesses and lanyards in a working environment.

Upon successful completion of the Harness Awareness (HA), Harness User (HU), and Harness Inspector (HI) courses, candidates with a valid Powered Access Licence (PAL Card) will have their qualifications added digitally to their card, accessible via the IPAF ePAL app. For those without a PAL Card, a digital certificate valid for 5 years will be issued, also available through the IPAF ePAL app.