Charlotte, N.C. — Wachovia Insurance Services last month announced the availability of a discount on general liability insurance premiums to companies that adopt AWPT/IPAF training for operators of aerial work platforms. The discount supports the efforts of the International Powered Access Federation and Aerial Work Platform Training, its North American subsidiary, to bring internationally recognized training programs to operators of aerial work platforms to the North American market.

“Properly trained users of equipment can reduce risk and minimize the probability of accidents, injuries and losses,” said William Holler, vice president of Wachovia Insurance Services. “The confidence in the effectiveness of this training program in reducing accidents allows the insurance company to offer a 15-percent discount off the general liability insurance premiums for all companies insured through our special program for aerial lift equipment dealers.”

To qualify for the discount, companies must require employees who operate or occupy an aerial work platform to successfully complete an AWPT training program.

Wachovia Insurance Services' specialty insurance program for aerial lift equipment dealers is underwritten by a national insurance company with an A+ Superior financial strength rating by A.M. Best. In addition to general liability coverage, the program offers a comprehensive range of property and casualty insurance coverage, including inland marine, property and automobile.

AWPT training makes working at height both safe and productive. All AWPT training meets the demands of both U.S. and Canadian legislation and has been independently audited by TUV, the leading German and international standards accreditation organization, as conforming with the international standard ISO 18878:2004.

Successful completion of the program leads to the issuance of a PAL Card (Powered Access Licensed-registration) from an AWPT approved training center. Those companies who employ AWPT-trained operators are not only assured that they are meeting their ANSI-mandated obligations to provide proper training; they also may be eligible to receive valuable discounts on their insurance premiums.

For details regarding AWPT's training program for aerial lift equipment operators, visit www.awpt.org.

Wachovia Insurance Services, a part of Wachovia Corp., is the 11th largest insurance broker in the United States with annual revenues in excess of $400 million and annual premium placements exceeding $4 billion.