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Important updates to the ABA Workplace Transport Grouping categories will come into effect from 19th January 2026. These changes are part of a wider industry initiative to improve clarity, safety, and consistency across workplace transport training and operations. Summary of Key Changes The Low Level Order Picker will move from the A2 category to a new E0 category, within the Order Picker group. Reach Truck categories D1 and D2 will merge into a single D1 category with no height restrictions. D1 will now cover all heights of reach truck. In the Tow Tractor (H category), the H3 designation will be removed and weight restrictions eliminated. The J category is revised to only include J1, J3, J5, J7, and J8 only, with no height restrictions. J2 Below 9m Machine has now been removed and operators will be awarded category J3 instead. However the smaller lift height will be stated on their training certificates A new designation, M4, will be introduced under Multidirectional for the Pedestrian Operated Stacker Truck. A new category, SP1, will be created for the Vertical Stock Picker (e.g., Crown Wave). The updates reflect changes in technology, equipment types, and workplace demands, ensuring that training and testing remain relevant and compliant. Emphasis is placed on the importance of Specific, Familiarisation following Basic Training and when considering Conversion training to other machines, to maintain safety, competence, and alignment with legal requirements across varied workplace environments.

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The IPAF Harness course has been given a bit of a rework and instead of being awarded the IPAF Harness "H" category, you can now New Category Codes for Harness Courses; Harness Awareness Training Course (HA) Harness User Training Course (HU) Harness Inspection Training Course (HI) The majority of candidates need only take the first two harness courses – the HA Course which is theory-only and the HU Course which is practical-only. Only a small number of candidates need to conduct periodic statutory inspections as part of their role and would need to take all three Harness Courses. An additional three hours would be required for the third, HI Course. For the minority of candidates who have the responsibility of inspecting their company’s personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) and maintaining inspection records (including those required by law), the HI Course delivers more comprehensive training building on what candidates learned and demonstrated in the HA and HU Courses. The HI Course must be taken in-person, at a Training Centre, led by an instructor, with a duration of half a day. The only time a full day may be required would be if a candidate who needed to learn how to conduct periodic statutory Inspections wished to take all three harness courses in-person at an IPAF Approved Premises. However, it is easily achievable to complete the HU and HI course in half a day. If someone has a current Harness qualification and they wish to take the new courses, which course should they do? Each course is tailored to candidates’ requirements and there are different learning outcomes for each course. For e.g. a safety manager who doesn’t need to use/wear a harness only need take the Harness Awareness Course (HA). Someone who uses/wears a harness will need to complete the Harness Awareness Course (HA) followed by the Harness User Course (HU). Only those who need to conduct periodic inspections of other people’s harnesses need to take all three courses, including the final Harness Inspector Course (HI). How long is each of the new courses? HA – half a day, theory-only training, can be taken as eLearning or in-person. HU – short, practical-only, can be completed within an IPAF MEWP Operator Training Course for 1B or 3B type machines. Must be completed in-person. HI – half a day. Must be completed in-person. Can the Harness Awareness Course (HA) also be Instructor-led (in-person / classroom-based), as well as eLearning? Yes. This is a theory-only course which can be taken in-person by the candidate as Instructor-led at a Training Centre, if desired. The creation of the eLearning format for this course is to increase flexibility for Training Centres so they can offer candidates the option that works best for them. What is the duration of each course? Durations are as follows: HA 2 to 3 hours (theory only) HU 15 minutes (practical only) HI 3 hours (practical only)

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