Qualifications and what they mean
Every single Xmo Strata sign engineer is fully qualified in PASMA, IPAF, CSCS, Forecourt Contractor Safety Passport scheme and safety harness certification (details outlined below). The industry standard is that only one person on site needs to hold the relevant qualifications specific for the job.
Xmo Strata invests in the training of all employees prior to the commencement of work; this ensures that all tasks are executed correctly, by sign engineers who hold extensive and up-to-date certifications. Xmo Strata believes that a high level of staff training often eliminates the need to make costly return visits to correct mistakes, which inevitably incur further costs to the customer.
All Xmo Strata sign engineers have certificates in the following:
- PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers Association) - a course for those using access towers. Further information available at www.pasma.co.uk
- IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) - training in elevated work platforms. Further information available at www.ipaf.org
- Forecourt Contractor Safety Passport scheme - offered by UKPIA (UK Petroleum Industry Association) for work undertaken on petrol forecourts. Further information available at www.ukpia.com
- CSCS (construction industry) - Construction Skills Certification Scheme. Further information available at www.cscs.uk.com
- Safety harness certification - specialist training in the correct use of harness equipment to support engineers working at height.
- Asbestos awareness training - approved by UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association). Further information available at www.ukata.org.uk
- First Aid, firefighting, manual handling, safety harness training and slinger/banksmen courses are all provided by the company as part of ongoing training.
All electrical work is carried out by electricians who hold IEE 17th edition qualifications. Further information is available at www.iee.org
Engineers have to undergo medical screening before they can work. Tests include the following aspects:
- Pulmonary
- Muscular/skeletal
- Cardiovascular
- Hearing
- Vision
- Controlled substance use
The Medical Officer who carries out the health screen considers the contents of the applicant's prospective job description and decides with the Managing Director as to the suitability of the applicant for the post. The appraisal happens before the applicant can be approved.