Are your managers equipped to ensure safe operations?

Every workplace presents a unique set of hazards and risks. Taking these into account and maintaining a safe and efficient site can be a challenge, particularly if managers are tasked with overseeing a combination of in-house and contracted workers across various jobs. Throw in the wide range of equipment types and multiple card schemes available to the industry and it’s easy to see how managing these responsibilities can seem an onerous task.

Management of Equipment Operation
Many managers may not, themselves, be qualified operatives which raises the question “how do managers and supervisors know if their operatives / contractors are using equipment in the way it is designed to be used and in the way that they have been taught?” Without some form of training, in some cases, they may not. And with greater emphasis from the HSE on the competency of managers and supervisors and their influence in reducing accidents and harm to employees, the pressure to adhere to best practice is building.

The recognition and understanding of UK accredited standards for the operation of specific equipment types is fundamental, but do managers and supervisors know what badge or card scheme is most relevant to their equipment and industry? Below is a quick reference guide to some of the most recognisable accreditations:

IPAF – Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
PASMA – Mobile Scaffolding Towers
MPQC Competency Scheme – Mobile plant specific to quarrying and extractives
AITT/ RTITB – Lift Trucks
LEEA – Overhead Gantry Cranes
ALLMI – Lorry Loaders
NPORS or CPCS – Construction equipment
EU Skills Plant for Utilities – Mobile plant specifically used within utilities and waste

Confident and capable managers
More courses have recently been developed to cater for the needs of modern-day managers and their businesses. Not only are courses available to help managers gain better control over on-site operations but they also demonstrate the benefits of a safe, efficient workforce. Meeting legal requirements is a necessity but there are also financial gains to be made, and they are vast: saving money on compensation, damage costs and expensive disruptions, not to mention the boost that an accident free workplace can give to staff morale, productivity and company reputation.

Let’s be clear, the courses that are currently available for managers aren’t operator courses. Managers are not necessarily required to operate the equipment themselves but they do need to understand what good and bad practice looks like and be able to spot and limit hazards as they occur. Some of the courses currently available include:

Lift Truck Operations
For those who are responsible for overseeing the use of forklift trucks, IOSH Managing safely forklift operations integrates our Managing Forklift Operations course into the standard IOSH Managing safely training, and provides an enhanced qualification while maintaining the four day duration. The basic fundamentals of forklift safety such as pre-use checks, stability, stacking and destacking are explained, enabling managers to ensure forklifts are being operated safely and efficiently in the working environment they oversee.

Working at Height with access equipment
When it comes to working at height, industry leading organisations IPAF and PASMA have developed specialist courses for those managing the use of access equipment on site. IPAF’s MEWPs for Managers course provides delegates with the skills and knowledge to confidently oversee the use of mobile elevated work platforms, from regulations and planning to supervision and accident prevention. If your teams use mobile access towers, your managers will benefit from PASMA’s Towers for Managers course. Following this course, managers will be able to ensure that the use of towers is planned, safe and meets all relevant legislation and best practice guidance.

Whatever their responsibilities, once they are equipped to assess risks and recognise hazards, the more confident and capable your managers will be to step in, communicate effectively and ensure best practice is upheld, for the good of everyone working in the vicinity. After all, it’s not just about complying with legal guidelines, it’s about being willing and able to actively promote good practice during every shift and making sure everyone gets home safe.

Further information on training and qualifications
Mentor continue to work with their customers to support compliance with training standards. An active role is taken with all of the accrediting bodies to whom Mentor are members and their team will be on hand at Hillhead stand PA16/PB17 to discuss training standards and the routes to competence for your industry. Alternatively Mentor’s technical team are available to answer any questions on 01246 555222 or you can visit www.mentortraining.co.uk