News

The MEWP rental market is still booming, with the worldwide rental fleet nearing 1.5 million units, according to the latest award-winning market analysis from IPAF.

Around 100 delegates were in attendance for the inaugural IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference on 16 May 2019 alongside the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition, Hunan Province, China. The first IPAF Chinese PDS for training instructors was hosted to coincide with the new standards conference.

A safety walk demonstrating the key risks involved in conducting temporary work at height using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) alongside roads or in public places was among the main draws on the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) stand at Vertikal Days 2019 at Donington Park near Derby, UK, 15-16 May.

A recruitment campaign is underway to find two key appointments to roles at the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). IPAF is currently seeking a Membership Coordinator, based at its head office in Cumbria, UK, and a Regional Representative for South Korea, with closing dates for applications in June.

IPAF has had an injunction awarded by the High Court of Madras against Capital Equipment Services Ltd (CESL) of Chennai, India, which had sought to copy and distribute IPAF’s training materials as its own MEWP operator course.

Registrations are now open for the inaugural IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference, which will take place on 16 May 2019 alongside the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition (15-18 May), Hunan Province, China.

IPAF’s latest safety campaign is called Street Smart and emphasises the importance of working safely at height using MEWPs on or next to roads. It is being launched by IPAF at the bauma 2019 expo at Messe München, Munich, Germany, 8-14 April.

A healthy future is predicted for the powered access industry, despite a backdrop of global uncertainty and probable economic slowdown, according to several speakers
at the recent IPAF Summit 2019, held for the first time in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March.

Adopting digital technology, utilising big data and embracing Lean management techniques to deliver streamlined depots were among the themes of this year’s IPAF Summit, held at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel, Dubai, on 6 March 2019.

IPAF is launching a major update of its globally recognised MEWPs for Managers course for those planning, supervising and managing work at height using powered access, and for the first time the course is also available as standalone eLearning.

A new presidential team has been confirmed for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), with Brad Boehler of Skyjack being elected to the role at the organisation’s AGM in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March 2019. Other changes to the IPAF Presidential team saw Norty Turner of United Rentals elected as IPAF Deputy President and Karin Nars of Dinolift confirmed as Vice President. Nick Selley of AFI-Uplift completed his full two-year term as President by handing the chain of office to Brad Boehler at the AGM, assuming the ex officio role of Immediate Past President. Meanwhile Andy Studdert of Cramo, the 2015-2017 IPAF President, maintains his seat on the IPAF Board as a Director.

Almost 350 industry professionals gathered on 6 March 2019 in Dubai, UAE, to honour the winners of the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs). Jointly organised by Access International and IPAF, the IAPAs celebrate best practice and excellence in the powered access industry, and this was the first time the event was held in the Middle East. Those assembled at the Raddison Blu Deira Creek Hotel were also the first to learn the next edition of the awards ceremony will be returning to the UK for the first time since 2017 and will be held in London on 23 April 2020.

IPAF experienced a strong year in 2018, growing across the board in membership, training delivery, turnover and territories covered, reversing its 2017 deficit through efficiencies and cost controls, leading to revenues increasing by 8.5% year-on-year.

A more robust system of reporting workplace falls overseen by a new independent body and a review of work at height culture that will consider the introduction of financial penalties for safety breaches are among the key findings of an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into safety while working at height in the UK.

IPAF has been shortlisted for two European Association Awards, being nominated in the Best Provision of Industry Information and Intelligence, and Best Association Conference (under 225 delegates) categories. Winners are announced in March.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has paid tribute to Alastair Robertson – owner of Universal Equipment in Glenn Ellyn, Chicago, US, an active and long-serving member of the organisation and a “force for good practice and safety” in the worldwide powered access industry.

IPAF has signed an agreement with ASEAMAC, the Spanish Rental Association, to collaborate on projects and events and to offer discounted affiliate rates on subscriptions and events to members of each organisation. The agreement was signed by Tim Whiteman, CEO & MD of IPAF, and Juan José Torres, President of ASEAMAC, at ASEAMAC’s Annual Conference in Madrid, Spain.

IPAF will officially launch its 2019 global safety campaign at the giant bauma construction equipment showcase near Munich, Germany, 8-14 April 2019. IPAF’s stand is confirmed as 711 in C4 hall of the exhibition site, and will also feature a sophisticated MEWP simulator, which proved very popular at IPAF’s events in 2018.

New eXtended Reality (XR) Technologies including virtual reality (VR) and MEWP simulators will soon be enhancing operator training, though not likely to replace practical testing for the foreseeable future, states a new strategy document from IPAF.

The speakers for this year’s IPAF Summit in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March have been announced, with Matt Fearon, Genie President, and Peter Schrader, MD of Zeppelin Rental, among the names confirmed. Those wishing to attend the IAPAs dinner and presentation ceremony are reminded the early-bird discount expires on 31 January.