Resource Library

‘Walking the MEWP’ is the term used when manoeuvring or travelling a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) using the platform controls from the ground by walking alongside or near the MEWP. This includes those that use an ‘umbilical cord’, radio/remote control or fixed point of control at the chassis.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) can be used in confined areas, or near overhead structures. When travelling or when elevated there is a risk that the operator or the platform occupant may come in contact with an overhead obstruction.  This could result in crushing or entrapment of that person.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are not advertising displays. MEWPs are designed to take persons, tools and equipment within the platform to enable the occupants to work safely at height. Attaching a sign or banner to a MEWP will potentially make the MEWP unstable. This can cause an overturn and result in serious injuries to people and damage to property.

Ground conditions are critical for the stability of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). Unsuitable ground conditions can result in the MEWP overturning with potential loss of life.

Why is a rescue plan important? Quickly rescuing someone who has become trapped can make a very significant difference to the injuries sustained – it may be the difference between life and death.

A mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) must be inspected daily or at the start of each shift to make sure it is safe to use; and will not cause an injury to the platform occupants or other personnel.

Effective assessment of ground conditions is essential to assist with safe installation, setting up and operation of construction plant.

The mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) may be significantly different than the MEWP the operator was trained on. Accidents can occur from operating an unfamiliar MEWP, for example by moving the platform in the opposite direction than intended, or by incorrectly setting up the outriggers.

The IPAF training categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations.

Be street smart! Manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Create a safe working zone.

Always check ground loading and use the IPAF calculator to identify if spreader pads are required, determine the correct size of spreader pad.

IPAF Elevating Safety is an annual magazine dedicated to promoting MEWP (aerial lift) safety in the US market. It is published for IPAF by AC Business Media in August each year.

Working at height is a high-risk activity, take care of your people and be responsible for safety with IPAF's help. IPAF has a range of Andy Access posters, in multiple languages, to help your workforce, covering important mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and mast climbing work platform (MCWP) safety topics. All to help keep operators safe and prevent accidents.

IPAF has created a film warning people not to cut corners when using MEWPs to carry out temporary work at height, launching it at its Asia Conference & Showcase 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Presentations from the IPAF Asia Conference (17 & 18 July 2019, Intercontinental Hotel, Hangzhou, China).

The 2019 Rental Market Reports are now available. The award-winning reports, produced by Ducker Research, are presented in an easy-to-read format and are the definitive guide to the powered access rental markets.

Presentations from the IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference (16 May 2019 at the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition, China).

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has a collection of logos that can be used by members and non-members, these are detailed on this page. The official IPAF Logo and IPAF.org logo are registered trademarks and can only be used by IPAF or with prior permission from IPAF. As such they are not available for download.

Exhibitions, trade fairs and other such shows can be challenging environments in which to operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Special consideration is required when displaying or demonstrating at such events.