News

After several months of development and fine-tuning, IPAF has announced it is now ready for “controlled trials” of its PAL+ advanced operator assessment in a virtual reality (VR) environment using MEWP simulators at some members’ training centres.

Tim Whiteman has stepped down from the position of Managing Director and CEO of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) after 15 years in the position. Former IPAF President Andy Studdert will act as interim CEO to provide continuity as Tim Whiteman hands over and while the search for a new CEO is conducted.

The full line-up of industry thought-leaders confirmed to lead the topic-specific work groups at Innovate 2019 has been announced, with the second edition of the new workshop, challenge and award-format event hosted by IPAF in Chicago, July 16-17.

Speakers confirmed for the eighth 2019 IPAF Asia Conference & Showcase, gala dinner and Dingli site visit, which will take place on 17-18 July at the Intercontinental Hotel in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, China.

Global automotive manufacturer Renault is working to address global site safety concerns and has been raising awareness with a number of events aimed at management and safety employees, with assistance from IPAF representatives.

Booking is open and the first speakers have been announced for Europlatform 2019, to be held at the Hotel Le Negresco in Nice, France, on 3 October. Europlatform is the essential annual event for senior professionals in the powered access rental industry, and this year Olivier Colleau, President, of Kiloutou, will give the morning keynote address and Angus Kennard, CEO, Kennards Hire the afternoon keynote address.

Jean Harrison is entering retirement, with 23 May 2019 being her last day with IPAF, where she has worked across a variety of roles over 27 years’ distinguished service.

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.

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.

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.