Powered access hirer, AFI-Uplift, reports positive feedback from customers trialling a new safety system to control access to mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). The Smart Zone card reader is designed to enable contractors to have full control over who operates specific types of MEWPs on their sites. This means that only those people who have received accredited operator training for a particular category of machine will be able to operate them.

IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation) has been working closely with AFI on the launch of the system, and operators who are authorised by site managers for particular machines will be given prototypes of the association’s smart PAL card containing their details.

To unlock the machine, the operator swipes the card across a sensor mounted in the basket. As a further safety measure, there is an option for keeping the system locked until the operator has confirmed that he has carried out pre-use inspection checks.

As part of the trials, Smart Zone readers have been fitted to machines working on the construction of the catering village for the Media Hub at London’s Olympic Park.