To take part in these courses participants must be over 18 years of age and be reasonably fit and agile with normal cognitive abilities, reasonable hearing and eyesight (glasses and hearing aids are acceptable).
Physical effort needed, as well as climbing unassisted the 6ft or so on to and off the footplate: this is a vertical climb using handrails and widely spaced steps.
Participants must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The footplate can be hot and dirty, and time spent there can be arduous.
Appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn; 'T' shirt, shorts and trainers are not acceptable.
Overalls or boiler suit are preferable but, in all cases, it is recommended that clothing made from cotton should be worn next to the skin.
Man-made fibres can melt onto the skin if inadvertent contact is made with any of the hot boiler fittings.
Stout shoes or boots are needed with safety boots being preferable.
A pair of gloves (Canadian rigger style) will be needed when firing and handling the controls/#.