Aerial platform licence: who may operate an aerial work platform?

The term 'aerial platform licence' is widely used in everyday language - legally, there is no driving licence for aerial work platforms in Belgium. What does exist: under the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), the employer must ensure adequate training. Without the required operator qualification, nobody may put an aerial work platform into operation.

Yes and no. There is no official licence for aerial work platforms. What does exist is a required operator qualification and an employer responsibility under Belgian well-being at work legislation:

• The operator must demonstrate through adequate training, for example with IPAF, that they can operate the machine safely.
• The employer expressly designates the operator - a written appointment is recommended.
• In addition, a machine-specific briefing is advisable before every new machine or after a longer break.

What is commonly called an 'aerial platform licence' is the certificate of adequate, recognised training (e.g. the IPAF PAL Card).

The Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work and the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment) form the basis for operator qualification. Key points:

• Operator qualification: proof of operating knowledge through adequate, recognised training (for example IPAF)
• Appointment by the employer: the employer confirms - preferably in writing - that the operator is qualified and authorised
• Machine-specific briefing: before first use of a new or unfamiliar machine, a machine- and job-specific briefing is advisable
• Age: age requirements in line with applicable Belgian safety rules

The Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), requires the employer to ensure that only qualified and appointed personnel operate work equipment.

Training with external providers

The classic route to authorisation: adequate training with a recognised training provider. Content:

• Basics of safety at work (fall protection, personal fall protection equipment)
• Physics and stability of aerial work platforms
• Legal basis (Well-being Act, Code on Well-being at Work)
• Platform types and their differences
• Practical exercises on the machine

Training is offered by recognised external training centres - including manufacturer training centres and IPAF training centres. Luibl Rental does not offer training. For certified providers in your region, contact IPAF directly.

IPAF training and PAL Card

IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) offers an internationally recognised certificate: the PAL Card (Powered Access Licence). The training is practice-oriented, specific to each machine category and available in Belgium at IPAF-certified training centres.

The PAL Card is recognised across the industry and is a common proof of adequate training. Internationally active companies prefer the PAL Card because of its cross-border validity.

Appointment by the employer

Training alone is not enough. After training, the employer expressly appoints the operator - preferably in writing, stating the operator, the permitted platform types and any restrictions. This clearly establishes who may use the machine.

Costs and duration depend on the provider, the platform category and the scope (theory and/or practice). Typical market ranges for training:

• 1-day training (theory + practice, 1 category): price on request from the training provider
• Extended training (several categories / platform types): price on request from the training provider
• IPAF training (PAL Card): voluntary industry standard; providers usually list a 1-day course, price on request

Group discounts are common. These figures are guide values - obtain quotes from certified training providers.

There is no general statutory expiry date for a training certificate. However, regular refresher briefings for operators are recommended - they keep knowledge up to date (new machine types, changes in regulations).

The PAL Card (IPAF) has a fixed validity of 5 years and must then be renewed through refresher training.

When handing over rental aerial work platforms, Luibl Rental provides a machine-specific briefing: operator controls, safety devices, emergency lowering, site-specific features and machine-specific notes - relating to the specific machine rented.

This machine-specific briefing on handover is not training and does not replace the operator's adequate training. It supplements it - for the specific rental machine. Anyone without the required operator qualification may not operate the platform independently after the briefing.

Using a man basket on a telehandler involves special requirements: in addition to the aerial work platform qualification, knowledge of telehandler operation and of the specific risks of basket use is required, in line with applicable Belgian safety rules and NBN EN standards. Details: Telehandler with man basket ->

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Is an aerial platform licence mandatory?

There is no official licence, but: operators must have the required qualification and be appointed by the employer. Without this qualification and appointment, nobody may operate an aerial work platform on their own responsibility. What is commonly called an 'aerial platform licence' is the certificate of adequate training, for example the IPAF PAL Card.

What does an aerial platform licence cost?

The price depends on the provider, platform category and scope of the training and is available on request. IPAF training (PAL Card) is a voluntary industry standard; providers usually list a 1-day course. The law requires adequate training (Code, Art. IV.3-7). Obtain quotes from recognised external training providers - Luibl Rental does not offer training.

How long is the PAL Card valid?

The IPAF PAL Card is valid for 5 years and must be renewed through refresher training at an IPAF training centre. Other training certificates have no fixed statutory expiry date; regular refresher briefings by the employer are recommended.

Is the rental company's briefing enough to operate an aerial work platform?

No. The machine-specific briefing by Luibl Rental on handover supplements the operator qualification for the specific rental machine - it does not replace it. Operators without recognised training may not operate the platform on their own responsibility after the briefing.

Who may operate an aerial work platform without a licence?

Nobody - at least not on their own responsibility and in a professional context. Even during training, the operator must be under the direct supervision of a qualified person. The combination of adequate training and appointment by the employer is the minimum requirement for operating an aerial work platform independently.