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Wider context from the report

“I heard from a number of organisations within the construction and electrical industry and self employed trades persons. I heard that the industry recognised standard within construction for individuals being assessed as competent to operate a mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs) is IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) whereby individuals undergo a one day course to be assessed as competent to operate a cherry picker/boom lift (3a) or scissor lifts (3b). I understand that there are a number of training providers nationally who run the course but that the syllabus is set by IPAF. Operatives who pass the course are issued with an IPAF card which is renewed every 5 years. As part of the course, I understand that operatives are classroom trained and then practically assessed operating the necessary MEWPs. Whilst the theory touches upon rescue at height scenarios (albeit having seen the syllabus it deals with potential falls from heights not entrapment). It does not include practical training on rescue at height scenarios or basket to basket rescues drills as standard. I heard evidence of the challenges that the organisations had found in sourcing a practical drill based course for at height rescue. All operatives I heard from working for a range of trades had their IPAF cards and not one had ever received practical training of at height rescue. They all told me that they had received theory based training only. I heard evidence that time is of the essence. For example in a suspension from a harness type scenario (not Jason’s case) between 5 and 15 minutes could be the difference between life or death. The same however can be said for someone who is suffering from positional asphyxia because they are trapped. I am therefore concerned to note that practical based rescue drills are not part of the standard competence based training offered for those operating these machines who are likely to be first on site facilitating rescues. Whilst Mr Holland’s case concerned the construction industry and the assessment of competency of operating MEWPs through IPAF, I understand that all of those organisations identified operate within their relevant sectors as IPAF does for the construction industry and MEWP operating competency based courses follow a similar syllabus, without any practical rescue from height drills being offered as standard. ”