Qualifications and training IPAF versus SOG, or what is needed to work as a cherry picker operator

In today's world of construction and industry, working at heights is becoming increasingly common. Year after year, the popularity of courses in the Netherlands grows, allowing you to gain knowledge and practical skills in operating cherry pickers. The attractive geographical location, modern ports, openness to investments and international trade, as well as infrastructure development, mean that professional cherry picker operators, also known as aerial work platform operators, are still in demand in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If you want to become one of them, you need to acquire the appropriate qualifications. IPAF or SOG - what to choose? How do they differ? You will find the answers in our article, so we invite you to read it.

What will you learn from this article?

What is IPAF?

What is SOG?

How to check the validity of IPAF qualifications?

IPAF or SOG training - what to choose if you want to work on cherry pickers?

IPAF course at the Bonapi Training Center

What is IPAF?

Working on scissor lifts and telescopic lifts, requires precision, skill, and adherence to safety principles. Therefore, to start working in this field, you need to have the appropriate and up-to-date qualifications. One of them is the IPAF license (otherwise known as PAL, Powered Access License). It is issued for 5 years to individuals, who have successfully completed the course and passed the exam. It is accepted in many countries around the world - in various industries.

IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) is an international association, whose main goal is to promote knowledge of safety, when working with specialized equipment and the effective use of it. Working at heights involves an increased risk of falling from a great height, suffering bodily injuries, loss of health, or even loss of life. This may result in improper operation of cherry pickers, or their malfunction. Therefore, having IPAF qualifications confirms the qualifications of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) operators to operate them. It also indicates knowledge of hazards and ways to prevent them.

Cherry picker qualifications are carried out in several categories.

• Category 1a concerns stationary platforms with supports.
• Category 1b concerns platforms mounted on trucks and trailers.
• Category 3a concerns scissor lifts, i.e., mobile vertical platforms. These specialized devices are used to safely transport people and equipment, to a considerable height, for various tasks. They are mainly used in finishing and installation industries, where precision and stability are crucial.
• Category 3b concerns self-propelled mobile platforms with articulated or telescopic booms, which move not only vertically, but also sideways. They are used to transport people with tools, to hard-to-reach places, such as over obstacles like canals, low buildings, or other vehicles. These extremely versatile cherry pickers have various applications in many industries, especially in outdoor work.

What is SOG?

The SOG certification is managed by SSVV in the Netherlands, the Stichting Samenwerken voor Veiligheid (Foundation for Cooperation for Safety). It is a Foundation for Cooperation for Safety, bringing together 24 organizations, from key sectors of the Dutch industry. SSVV takes actions to increase safety, in various industries. This is how the VCA and SOG systems were created.

SOG stands for SSVV Training Guide, which describes SOG training and instructions regarding the knowledge and skills, that employees must have to work in a high-risk environment and perform hazardous tasks in their work. SOG courses were originally developed for the petrochemical industry, but are now also applicable in companies in the port sector, or industrial plants.

SOG qualifications for cherry pickers are valid for 5 years. They are carried out in 3 categories.

• Category 1b concerns cherry pickers mounted on trucks and trailers.
• Category 3a concerns mobile scissor lift cherry pickers working vertically.
• Category 3b concerns telescopic cherry pickers with a characteristic arm, also working sideways.

The SOG certificate is valid in the Netherlands and Belgium.

How to check the validity of IPAF qualifications?

IPAF qualifications are available in the form of a PAL card, as well as in digital form. The ePAL app provided by IPAF allows you to store and share your IPAF certificates on your phone and check their validity. There are many benefits, which you can read about in the ePAL article. The app can be downloaded from Google Play for Android and from the App Store for IOS.

If you have IPAF qualifications in the form of a physical card, it should contain the following elements:

• name and photo,
• expiry date and categories of machines, covered by the qualifications,
• IPAF logo hologram on the back in the upper left corner,
• cardholder's signature.

By entering the IPAF website, you can check the validity of your card. Enter the license number from the card in the indicated field, and you will see its expiry date. If you want to know more details, click the "VIEW DETAILS" button and provide your date of birth. If the data matches, you will see:

• name and photo of the cardholder,
• categories of machines they have been trained on.

IPAF Training or SOG - What to choose if you want to work on cherry pickers?

In the Netherlands, the training and exam last one day for both IPAF and SOG. Students must be over 18 years of age, and in the case of SOG, it is also mandatory to have a valid VCA certificate. To take part in the IPAF course and exam, a VCA is not required, which makes IPAF cheaper for students who do not yet have a VCA.

In 2021, the SSVV and IPAF organizations entered into an agreement on the equivalence of certificates. This means that according to the regulations from August 1, 2021, in the Netherlands, IPAF qualifications in categories 1b, 3a, and 3b, are equivalent to SOG qualifications in categories 1b, 3a, and 3b. As a result, cherry picker operators with valid IPAF qualifications in the above categories, who want to work in the Netherlands, no longer need to take SOG exams in this country. So there is no need to invest money and time in acquiring and confirming qualifications that they already have.

Furthermore, due to the fact that IPAF operates globally, such an operator can work not only in the Netherlands or Belgium, but also in many countries around the world, without the need to take additional exams. SOG qualifications are sufficient only for those, who plan to work in the local market, or in specific sectors, but may not be useful in case of changing work environment, or international career.

The IPAF training program was developed by industry experts. It is available in many languages ​​at certified training centers, such as the Bonapi Training Center. IPAF certificates are widely recognized and prestigious worldwide, which is important for people looking for jobs in international companies or, for example, on large construction projects.

IPAF Course at the Bonapi Training Center

Are you looking for a certificate that will give you qualifications on the international market and is one of the most valued in the industry? Do you want to gain comprehensive training in operating cherry pickers?

In our training center, you will find one-day courses for IPAF cherry pickers categories 3a and 3 b in several languages. This way, you will gain qualifications (confirmed by a license) to work at heights - on scissor lifts and telescopic lifts.

Thanks to experienced instructors and modern teaching methods, our students acquire practical skills and knowledge, that prepare them for the position of cherry picker operator in various conditions and environments. With us, you gain the necessary qualifications - valued by employers and increasing your attractiveness in the job market. So don't wait another minute and contact us today, to open the door to better job offers. In the Netherlands and many other countries worldwide.