Arqiva / MATS / EUSR

INDUSTRY NEWSFLASH !

~~MATS Group Statement on Covid-19
In light of the current situation around Coronavirus and the fact the UK Government have now announced that they are closing all schools and colleges, the MATS group are reviewing options to help support our industry maintain infrastructure and service.
In order to work at height on the networks, a worker is currently required to have the following in date training courses as a minimum: -
• Riggers medical
• Climber training
• Rescue training
• Emergency 1st aid
• RF
• Flat roof / Rooftop Access

Where training is still available and accessible, it should still be scheduled and attended.  However, where this is not possible due to company policies or unavailability of training, MATS members have agreed the following:-
• A 3 month extension to the above training / access requirements (except RF) only if it expires during the lockdown period * and training is not available (to be continually reviewed as the situation continues to develop)
• RF training must be undertaken (refresher only) via online methods.  Approved RF course providers who may offer an on line option can be found here - https://www.arqiva.com/documentation/gateway-documents/Accepted_Training_Providers_December_2019.pdf. 
• Anyone who hasn’t completed the training previously cannot start to undertake tasks under this supportive measure as no prior training has been completed.
• Anyone who’s medical expires must complete the MATS medical questionnaire in GN-0005 – Medical requirements for climbing masts and towers (http://matsgroup.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Guidance_Note_005-Medical_Requirements_for_Climbing_Masts_and_Towers-Issue_3_November_2016.doc) in order to grant the 3 month extension to medicals.  If possible, a telephone consultation should take place with a medical professional if services are still available.
• The MATS group will continue to monitor the impacts of the pandemic risks and determine any continuation of the extension period and the impact on training providers as the recovery to normal operations begins. 
• Recovery of the training would look to re-certification to take the form of refresher training rather than full courses at this time.

* Lockdown period is taken as the announcement from the UK Government to close all schools and colleges
Should this situation be prolonged beyond 3 months, MATS Group will look for solutions for people to complete refresh training, working with the MATS approved training providers as well as further discussions with medical providers. 
Further information will be posted as the situation develops

Stewart Mardle
Chairman – MATS Group
Sent on behalf of the MATS Group

If any existing Radio Structures students need to extend their certificates over this period? Please contact the centre on training@radiostructures.com

TRS Safety training is currently an approved Arqiva / MATS Group (Mast and Towers Group) EUSR (Energy Utilities Skills) training provider. All TRS Safety Training courses in this section are Arqiva / MATS approved and comply with Arqiva Gateway minimum course content requirements.

From 1st January 2020, Any person wanting to gain access to Arqiva / MATS SITES must attend EUSR "Energy Utilities Skills Register" climber and rescue courses. TRS is authorised to deliver the new MATS / EUSR Initial Climber and Basic climber courses. To gain access to Arqiva and MATS sites, all climbers will have to be certified to the new Initial and Basic climber standards. All current climber and rescue certs will be honoured until dec 31st 2020. By the 1st Jan 2021, all climbers then must be EUSR certified. For further information on EUSR certs, please drop an email to training@radiostructures.com

For individuals wishing to gain access to non Arqiva or MATS sites, please contact the centre to chat about your options.

Please check with your employer and Arqiva what level of certification and training will be required.

Work Solution 1. Operators working on Arqiva / MATS rooftops only but not in a position of a fall, will now need the minimum of Rooftop Access / Rooftop Worker and RF Awareness. Arqiva no longer accept the half day Rooftop Safety Awareness course as a level of competency.

Work solution 2. Operators working on rooftops within a fall potential / Ladder climbing will need the minimum of RF Awareness and Rooftop Access.

Work solution 3. Any operators climbing structures will need a minimum of Rooftop Access, RF Awareness, Advanced Climber and Tower and Structural Rescue,  Or the EUSR Initial or Basic climber certs, First Aid at Heights .

Some companies working on Arqiva sites ask, all levels of employees to have the maximum level of training. This would normally take 5 days of training and involve attending all the courses in work solution number three. Some companies / Auditors may ask for Rooftop and Ladder Rescue cerification.

What are the differences between Rooftop Safety Awareness and Rooftop Access / Worker?

The Rooftop Safety Awareness course provides the student with a non practical classroom based course. The worker would normally gain access to a roof through a door and  have no potential of falling either through the roof , down ladders or over the edge of a roof.  The course does not teach the student the use of harnesses or restraint systems, Climbing vertical ladders. The environment this worker may be working in would be one with correct height edge protection.

The Rooftop Access / Worker course provides the student with the course content from the Awareness course in the morning then they are taught the correct techniques of Work restraint, Work Positioning and Fall Arrest systems of work. This includes the use of harnesses. The envirnoment the Rooftop Access worker may be deployed to is a rooftop environment where there is a risk of falling either through a roof, down a ladder or over an unprotected edge.

All course fees are shown excluding VAT at 20%. The EUSR courses are inclusive of their ID Card. All full days courses are inclusive of a buffet meal.