wearing a harness I went through this about 6 months ago with our training provider. I went to them with this:
When I read the GPG for MEWP it says the following re harness use:
WORKING AT HEIGHT
A recommended means of achieving competence for harness use is the NZQA Unit Standard 23229 – Use a Safety Harness for Personal Fall Prevention When Working at Height.
Taking this literally, it means the recommended adequate training standard for all knuckle boom users (as they must wear a harness when using a knuckle boom) is:
US 23229 – Use a Safety Harness
US 23966 - Describe Types of Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) and Legislative Requirements For Their Use
US 23962 - Assess the Worksite, Prepare and Operate a Self-Propelled Boom Lift Elevating Work Platform (EWP)
I asked if they train to the US23229 for harness use with their MEWP (knuckle boom) course. This is the response I got from our training provider.
Common question that one!
Whilst the GPG states that the recommended means of achieving competence with harness use is US23229, we don’t cover that unit standard on our standard MEWP course. There are already 10 credits (3 x units) achieved on the standard MEWP course.
We do however, cover the correct selection, use and fitting of a harness as a matter of course.
Some PCBU’s are taking the line and following the GPG recommendation in that they want to have their users trained in both the particular MEWP units and the 23229 unit while some are happy with just the particular MEWP units.
I guess it is up to the individual PCBU to decide.
So, in a round-a-bout way of answering you question – no, we don’t award US 23229 but do cover the selection, use and fitting of a harness for MEWP work.
It appears this decision is based around a business case, not about providing adequate training. I have gone to numerous other providors, and what was said above is common practice. Its kind of frustrating that training providers offer courses that do not cover all the recommendations of an industry GPG, meaning additional courses are needed.
We now train all MEWP knuckle boom users in
US 23229
US 23966
US 23962