IPAF’s “Back to Basics” Safety Message Across Irish Construction Sites
From 13 to 24 October 2025, the CIF’s national safety initiative Back to Basics encouraged Irish construction companies to revisit core health and safety behaviour. In this critical two-week effort, Damien O’Connor, Irish Country Manager for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), played an active role, engaging directly with project teams, MEWP operators and site management across multiple locations.
Key Activities & Messages
Damien spent each day of the campaign visiting a different construction project, delivering Toolbox Talks, safety briefings and practical demonstrations of powered-access equipment. The initiative focuses on revisiting essential practices and ensuring that all workers understand and apply the basics of MEWP safety.
Key topics IPAF covered included:
- Ground conditions and the importance of correct machine selection
- Pre-use inspections
- Operator and spotter familiarisation
- Safe operation, supervision, and rescue plans
“Safety starts on the ground. Whether operating a MEWP, managing a worksite or supervising teams, attention to the basics can prevent serious injuries and help save lives. The CIF campaign aligns perfectly with IPAF’s mission to promote the safe and effective use of powered access for safe working at height. By working together with the CIF and with the support from our members, we can help reinforce these core safety behaviours, to ensure every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.”
Damien reinforced the campaign slogan with a clear message: Safety starts on the ground. Whether operating a MEWP, managing a worksite or supervising teams, attention to the basics can prevent serious injuries and help save lives.
He provided timely reminders while on site that working at height starts at ground level, which was covered by iProperty Radio and Virgin Media Ireland News.
Why This Matters
Construction remains among the highest-risk industrial sectors in Ireland, and within it, work-at-height operations continue to contribute disproportionately to serious incidents. The Back to Basics campaign signalled a move away from purely new-tech solutions toward reinforcing fundamental behaviours and decision-making on site. By placing IPAF at the centre of those on-site engagements, the campaign added technical depth to the narrative: not just that safety is important, but how specific behaviours (such as machine selection and spotter training) matter in real-world MEWP operations.
