BSD Training

We will be closed next week for the Easter break, from Monday 6th to Friday 10th April.

We finish this Friday (3/4/26) at 5:00pm and will reopen on Monday 13th April at 8:30am.

We’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter and hope you enjoy a well-earned break, whatever you have planned!

We are delighted to announce that the new MEWP Spotter Training Course is now live and available to book.

The new MEWP Spotter course is concise, theory-only, and delivered entirely as eLearning.

It takes approximately two and a half hours to complete and upon passing the online theory test, candidates are awarded their qualification which is valid for five years.

The course is aimed at anyone who may need to assist a MEWP Operator to safely manoeuvre a MEWP into position.

IPAF recommends the course is also taken by Operators, supervisors and site managers, to ensure everyone on site understands the Spotter’s role, hand signals and where the Spotter should be safely positioned.

The course covers methods of communication between a MEWP Spotter and a MEWP Operator, including industry-established hand signals, which can be essential to safe operations in situations where the Operator has restricted visibility.

Assigning someone the role of Spotter provides additional safety in MEWP operations, enabling the Operator to be made aware of any hazards they may not be able to see in their line of sight.

For more information or to book your Spotter E-Learning course please get in touch with us

📞02892639459
📧[email protected]

IPAF's New MEWP Spotter course is due to land on the 19th March 2026

What is a MEWP Spotter?
A MEWP Spotter is a specific role assigned to one or more people to observe MEWP operations onsite, in real-time, and, where necessary, communicate with the MEWP Operator to direct them to manoeuvre the MEWP safely away from any obstacles or hazards that may be beyond the MEWP Operator’s line of sight. The MEWP Spotter(s) and MEWP Operator work together as a team to ensure safe, efficient MEWP operations.

Who is the course for?
Anyone who needs to assist a MEWP Operator to safely manoeuvre a MEWP into position, particularly in situations where the Operator has restricted visibility. The Spotter role is ‘another pair of eyes’ and IPAF recommends all Operators, supervisors and site managers also take the course to ensure everyone on site understands the Spotter’s role, hand signals and where the Spotter should be safely positioned.

Why was the course created?
Contractors first identified the need to IPAF to create a universal, dedicated MEWP Spotter course to improve safety on their sites and across the wider industry. Many contractors already routinely assign Spotters to direct Operators as part of their risk assessment because doing so has seen a reduction in incidents.

No one can see around corners and, by having ‘another pair of eyes on the job’ ensures the Operator is alerted to any hazards and obstructions that lie beyond their line of sight.

Previously, many contractors provided their own training to Spotters but this resulted in discontinuity and sometimes confusion, and any disparity breeds potential for miscommunication that could result in incidents.

The new IPAF MEWP Spotter Training Course provides a universal method of working as a Spotter and Operator team, that keeps everyone safe while increasing the overall efficiency of operations. When everyone uses the same method of working, everyone understands the same hand-signals, positioning, and requirements, playing an essential role in keeping themselves and others safe.

Is there any practical training in the course?
No, the course is completely theory based and online due to the role being observational and procedural, focusing on hazard awareness, clear communication with Operators, and decision-making, rather than machine operation, particularly as no two machines or site setups are the same.

How long is the course?
Approximately two and a half hours.

How long is the qualification valid for?
Five years.

If you are interested in completing the MEWP Spotter course please get in touch with us and get you setup with your E-Learning module and explain how it all works
📞02892639459
📧 [email protected]
🌐https://bsdtraining.com/courses/ipaf

The Saintfield Road from Ballymacbrennan Crossroads to Temple Roundabout is closed from the 9th March - 20th March 2026 for resurfacing works.

As a result this will affect traffic coming to our centre from the Lisburn direction.

There are diversions in place at Ballymacbrennan Crossroads and traffic is to take the comber road into Carryduff and then turn right at the traffic lights at Lidl in Carryduff onto the Ballynahinch Road.

We are then on the left just before Temple Roundabout.

Anyone having any difficulties finding us due to the diversions please feel free to give us a call and we can direct you if needs be.

📞02892639459

With 2026 well underway now, we have a busy February and March ahead with courses filling up fast. If there is any training you need in the next few months, have a look at our course schedule to see what we have coming up https://bsdtraining.com/calendar

If there's something you need that you don't see on our calendar, feel free to get in touch and we will see if we can help you out

📞 02892639459
📧 [email protected]

IPAF have issued guidance on using MEWPS to put up and take down festive lights and decorations.

As the festive season approaches, many towns, cities and shopping centres prepare to install decorative lighting in public places. These tasks frequently involve mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) operating in busy pedestrian zones, near roads and traffic, or next to overhead cables and other hazards.

Because Christmas or other festive lighting installations often take place in high-footfall areas (shopping streets, pedestrian zones, municipal squares) and often under constrained timescales (night work, off hours) the additional risks need careful management.

Have a look at the many risks to watch out for and some tips on how to mitigate against the risks of using MEWPS for putting up Christmas lights and decorations

How to Safely Use MEWPs to Install & Remove Festive Lights in Public Areas As the festive season approaches, many towns, cities and shopping centres prepare to install decorative lighting in public places. These tasks frequently...

🎄We want to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄

☃️We will be closed from 13:00 on Friday the 19th December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2026 at 08:30☃️

🎄Thankyou to everyone who has made this year such a success for BSD Training and we very much look forward to working with you all again in 2026🎄

Its time to put your feet up for a while and enjoy a well deserved rest 🎅🦌🎄⛄️

🚨 We’re Hiring – MHE Instructors Wanted! 🚨

Thanks to ongoing growth and expansion, we’re adding to our amazing team of MHE (Materials Handling Equipment) Instructors!

We’re looking for someone who is:
✅ Positive & enthusiastic
✅ Passionate about training
✅ A great communicator
✅ Qualified (RTITB, ITSSAR, AITT, LANTRA or NPORS)

If you love helping others succeed and want to be part of a supportive, growing team — we want to hear from you!

🔧 What we offer:

- Competitive pay & benefits

- Company Pension scheme

- A great working environment

- Opportunities to grow with us

- A company that truly values your skills

📩 Ready to apply or want more info? Apply now at the link below or contact us for more information;

https://uk.indeed.com/job/forklift-plant-and-machinery-and-health-and-safety-instructortrainer-c885ec78920b2b6a

Tag someone who’d be perfect for this! 👇

📣 Summer Holiday Closure Notice 🌞

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we will be closed for the summer holidays from Monday, 7th July to Friday, 18th July.

We’ll be taking a short break to rest, recharge, and hopefully enjoy some sunshine!

We’ll reopen and resume normal operations on Monday, 21st July at 08:30. If you need to get in touch before then, please contact us before the closure or send us an email over the summer break and we will get back to you when we return.

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you a wonderful summer break!

☀️🌴

We have a number of IPAF MEWP and Harness courses coming up before the summer holidays;

- Thursday 12th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Monday 16th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Tuesday 17th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Friday 20th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Tuesday 24th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Tuesday 24th June - Harness Awareness and Harness User
- Thursday 26th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Monday 30th June - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps
- Friday 4th July - 1B, 3A, 3B Mewps

To secure your spot on any of the dates above feel free to contact us on;

☎️0289269459
📧 [email protected]
🖱Online Chat - www.bsdtraining.com

We’re supporting No Falls Week 12-16 May 2025!

During that week, everyone with an interest in safe working at height is encouraged to share best practice and shine a spotlight on height safety!

Why don’t you get involved too?

There are loads of free resources you can use; from toolbox talks to posters and promotional material, to help you reinforce the importance of safe working at height!

Get involved at https://nofallsweek.org/