CPA Bulletin

36 CPA Bulletin > February 2023 www.cpa.uk.net ESTA: 1 ESTA Swiss Recognise new European Crane Operators Licence Kelly Doruijter from the city of Spijkenisse in the Netherlands has become the first woman to hold an ECOL licence. She joined Mammoet in April 2021 and worked as a rigger before starting crane operator training at the company’s academy in September. Doruijter had previously served as a sergeant in the Dutch army and then worked as a bridge crane operator in the Port of Rotterdam. She encouraged other women to consider becoming crane operators. “If this profession appeals to you, go for it.” Asked what it is like working in an environment that is overwhelmingly male: “I was already used to working with 95%male colleagues from the port - in my experience, that’s not a problem if you stand up for your work and can speak up if necessary. I have never been approached in an unfriendly way in all these years.” Now qualified, she is looking forward to the opportunities ahead and has a definite preference for working with mobile tower cranes. “I prefer that mainly because they are used on construction sites and less in industry. I like the variety of working at something different every day.” ECOL Welcomes First Female Licence Holder Switzerland is the latest country to formally recognise the ESTA’s European Crane Operators Licence (ECOL) as the scheme continues to expand its influence. The news was received in December from the authorities at SUVA, the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund. Alfred Suter, SUVA health and safety specialist, told ECOL: “We were pleased to note that the training of ECOL crane operators meets the requirements of the Swiss Crane Ordinance and the EKAS RL 6510.” As a result, from 1st January 2023, an ECOL licenced operator can request the issue of a SUVA crane operator licence, Kranführerausweis Kat. A. without the need for any further training or testing. Switzerland is the fifth territory to recognise ECOL, following Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and British Columbia in Canada. Talks are also ongoing in four other European countries. Ton Klijn, ESTA Director and Chair of the ECOL Supervisory Board, said: “We are delighted with the decision of the Swiss authorities and thank them for their support. Standards in Switzerland are very high and if experts there are happy to back ECOL, we hope that will encourage other national authorities to follow suit in the near future.” He continued: “The potential for ECOL both to raise safety standards and increase efficiency right across Europe is not in question and we look forward to further developments in the near future.” SUVA, based in Lucerne, is a public-sector insurer and leading provider of health care coverage for employees in case of accidents in Switzerland. In further good news, last month Sarens inaugurated its revamped operator training centre in Wolvertem, Belgium, increasing its capacity both for classroom and practical crane training operations. The centre has included ESTA’s European Crane Operators Licence in its courses. Explaining the company’s support for ECOL, Sarens RDTS Manager Line Rigo said: “By adding ECOL to our training centre courses Sarens wants to support and promote the importance of professional competence and skills. Creating a uniform crane operator licence within Europe will make it more transparent to guarantee quality and reliability and more efficient to work in different countries. UFL Calls for Changes to French Crane Permit Rules ESTA is giving its support to the campaign by French member association UFL for changes to the rules governing the movement of cranes on public roads in France. At present all crane movements in the country require a permit, but UFL (Union Française du Levage) says that the current system is too slow and bureaucratic. Instead, it is calling for all cranes up to 48 tons vehicle weight to be exempt. ESTA has agreed to UFL’s request for support in lobbying the French authorities, and to communicate the permit regulations in other countries such as the Netherlands to back up their position.