What is a IPAF MEWP spotter?

A IPAF MEWP Spotter is a specific role assigned to one or more people to observe MEWP operations onsite, in real-time, and, where necessary, communicate with the MEWP Operator to direct them to manoeuvre the MEWP safely away from any obstacles or hazards that may be beyond the MEWP Operator’s line of sight. The IPAF MEWP Spotter(s) and IPAF MEWP Operator work together as a team to ensure safe, efficient MEWP operations. The requirement for IPAF MEWP Spotter training was first identified by powered access contractors.

Routinely, and as part of their risk assessments, many contractors assign the dedicated role of MEWP Spotter on their worksites because it has proven to reduce accidents and incidents. Provision of universal training for all MEWP Spotters means the role and associated responsibilities are better understood and utilised, including familiarisation with industry-recognised hand signals, voice instructions, and Spotter positioning.

Get trained

Anyone who needs to assist a MEWP Operator to safely manoeuvre a MEWP into position, particularly in situations where the Operator has restricted visibility. IPAF recommends all Operators, supervisors and site managers also take the course to ensure everyone on site understands the Spotter’s role, hand signals, and where the Spotter should be safely positioned.

About the IPAF MEWP Spotter Course
The course is concise, taken online as eLearning, and is theory only. This is for convenience and enables candidates to learn in their own time, at their own pace, on their own devices. Interactive graphics and videos clearly guide candidates through their learning journey and show various worksite environments and real life scenarios.

What’s covered?

In this IPAF MEWP Spotter course, you will learn about topics including:

• The responsibilities of a MEWP Spotter
• How and where to safely position yourself, including management of exclusion zones
• Industry-recognised hand signals and voice instructions, which can be essential to safe operations in situations where the Operator has restricted visibility
• Safe MEWP operations
• Key hazards and associated mitigation

On successfully completing this course, you’ll receive an IPAF MEWP Spotter certificate. All IPAF certification is issued electronically via ePAL.  The International Powered Access Federation licence is recognised internationally.

Delegates will be required to download the IPAF ePAL app onto their device to access any certification they hold with IPAF prior to the training taking place.

Should a physical PAL card and/or certificate be required, this must be requested at time of booking and will be charged at an additional cost.

Course details

Aimed at: This IPAF MEWP Spotter course is designed for Employers, project managers, foremen and supervisors working in a broad range of industries or anyone who is responsible for planning and overseeing the use of MEWPs on their job site.

• Duration: 0.5 day
• Maximum class size: N/A
• Qualification length: 5 years
• e-Learning available: e-Learning only
• On-site training available: Yes

Assessment details

The qualification is assessed through a theory assessment which the learner must successfully pass. Once completed the delegate will be awarded the IPAF MEWP Spotter qualification.

More Than Training – Total Access Solutions from Davis Access

At Davis Access, we do far more than deliver professional IPAF MEWP Spotter training. With over 30 years of industry experience, we provide a complete range of access platform solutions including access platform hire, CITB training, First Aid Training, PASMA training, MEWP servicing, LOLER inspections, repairs, refurbishment, and access platform sales throughout Bristol, South Wales and across the UK.

Whether you're a construction company, facilities management contractor, local authority, maintenance provider or industrial business, our experienced team can support every stage of your project. From ensuring your workforce is trained and compliant to supplying, maintaining and repairing access equipment, Davis Access offers a true one-stop solution for working safely at height.