Significant Success for Ransomes Jacobsen's cutting edge team
Cutting Edge Training, the independent training division of grounds care equipment manufacturer Ransomes Jacobsen, has achieved significant success providing NPTC certificated training programmes for a number of local authorities, commercial organisations and grounds care contractors.
Operator training has become an important issue in our industry since the advent of PUWER '98 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). These regulations stipulate that any person operating self propelled equipment must be trained in its safe operation.
At Hadleigh in Essex, six operators working with English Landscapes have been certificated on Safe Use of Mowers and eight on Tractor Driving and Related Operation. In Wales, 10 operators with Cardiff City Council have obtained their tractor certification and two have achieved the mowing certificate. Five staff at Cardiff Rugby Club have also achieved tractor certification.
Ipswich Borough Council has demonstrated their commitment to fulfilling their obligations of PUWER '98 with 42 operators trained and assessed in the Safe Use of Mowers as have four greenkeepers at Diss Golf Club in Norfolk and two operators at GCHQ in Cheltenham. Six staff at Fountains, working on the company's Richmond Park contract are now NPTC certificated for Tractor Driving and Related Operations.
Ian Clarke, a Team Leader at Ipswich Borough Council commented, "We are a responsible employer and it is important that we train and refresh our staff in all aspects of health and safety relating to mowing equipment. The training was excellent and everyone took something of value away from the various courses."
Cutting Edge Training Manager Jason King said, "Organisations are recognising the importance of PUWER '98 and the implications of non-compliance. We have made a significant investment in the provision of training to create a safer working environment, not only for customers of Ransomes Jacobsen, but for all end-users, irrespective of the manufacturer of their equipment.
"We have adapted our training to meet the needs and requirements set out by Government and HSE and aligned it with independent assessments provided by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC), which means that the certification is nationally recognised. Our trainers have over 75 years of industry experience and are well placed to provide training to the sector, as can be seen by the companies and organisations that have recently put their staff through these programmes."