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  • This guidance is intended to: provide information for those who plan and manage MEWP operations; provide information on the main hazards when using a MEWP in pedestrian control mode; provide information on the risk control measures to adopt when using pedestrian controls; provide general global guidance for those who undertake tasks to prevent incidents occurring.

    Added 8 Mar 2024
    Last updated

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  • When a MEWP is delivered or collected from a site, loading and unloading on the public highway should be avoided wherever possible. The aim is to minimise risk to employees and members of the public by ensuring delivery vehicles park away from public highways and pavements.

    Added 23 Feb 2024
    Last updated

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    Loading Unloading MEWPs Public Highways Mockup - EN
  • Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are supplied with both ground and platform controls to comply with International MEWP design standards. Manufacturer’s operators’ manuals identify that the primary operator control station is in the platform and that the ground controls should only be used to carry out pre-use inspections without anyone in the platform, or for emergency descent purposes only.

    Added 25 Jan 2024
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Toolbox Talk A35 EN

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  • This document is intended to provide practical guidance on safety measures to minimise exposure to COVID-19 for anyone using MEWPs, MCWPs or Construction hoists for work activities.

    Added 11 May 2020
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    IPAF COVID-19 Safe Operating Guidance
  • This resource is for members only.
    Please login or consider becoming an IPAF member.

    Technical Guidance

    COVID-19 Safe Training Advice - IPAF Training Centre resuming MEWP, MCWP and Hoist training

    This document is intended to provide practical guidance for IPAF-approved Training Centres to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 when undertaking training on MEWPs, MCWPs and Hoists.

    Added 11 May 2020
    Last updated

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  • The aim of IPAF’s Innovate event 2019 was to address key industry issues in order to develop potential solutions that would improve the safe and effective use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as AWPs. At the event, industry stakeholders worked together in small groups to develop achievable solutions which could positively impact the issue at hand. This paper provides a summary of each topic that IPAF offers to the industry to support improved safety.

    Added 2 Apr 2020
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    IPAF Innovate 2019 Workshop Results
  • 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.

    Added 18 Dec 2019
    Last updated

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    Avoid Overhead Obstructions Toolbox Talk
  • 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.

    Added 11 Dec 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Never Attach a Banner to a MEWP Toolbox Talk
  • 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.

    Added 4 Dec 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    MEWP Ground Conditions Toolbox Talk
  • 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.

    Added 27 Nov 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    MEWP Rescue Plan Toolbox Talk
  • 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.

    Added 20 Nov 2019
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    MEWP Pre-Use Inspection
  • Effective assessment of ground conditions is essential to assist with safe installation, setting up and operation of construction plant.

    Added 20 Nov 2019
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  • 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.

    Added 13 Nov 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Know your Machine Toolbox Talk
  • Workplace

    IPAF Categories

    The IPAF training categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations.

    Added 12 Nov 2019
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  • Be street smart! Manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Create a safe working zone.

    Added 24 Sep 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Andy Access: 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.

    Added 24 Sep 2019
    Last updated

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    Andy Access: Use Spreader Pads for your MEWP. Always check ground loading and use the IPAF calculator at www.ipaf.org/pads
  • 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.

    Added 2 Aug 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Andy Access: Safety Starts From The Top
  • Films & Videos

    Choose Safety

    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.

    Added 2 Aug 2019
    Last updated

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    Choose Safety - A Short MEWP Safety Film by IPAF
  • Presentations from the IPAF Asia Conference (17 & 18 July 2019, Intercontinental Hotel, Hangzhou, China).

    Added 26 Jul 2019
    Last updated 30 Jul 2019

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  • Technical Guidance

    F1: Familiarisation

    Before using a MEWP you must be trained to the applicable MEWP classification and be familiarised on the specific machine. Familiarisation is required on any MEWP that is significantly different in weight, height, length or complexity to the MEWP on which training took place. The operator, supervisor, ground person/rescuer, service engineer and demonstrator all need adequate familiarisation to undertake their duties.

    Added 19 Jun 2019
    Last updated 30 Sep 2022

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  • This resource is for members only.
    Please login or consider becoming an IPAF member.

    Publication

    IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference Presentations

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

    Added 20 May 2019
    Last updated 24 May 2019

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  • Workplace

    IPAF Logos

    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.

    Added 1 May 2019
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  • 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.

    Added 18 Apr 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    Exhibition Guidelines
  • The aim of IPAF’s Innovate event 2018 was to address key industry issues with the goal to develop potential solutions to improve the safe and effective use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as AWPs. To enable this, at the event, key industry players worked together in small groups to deliver achievable solutions which could positively impact the issue at hand. This paper provides a summary of each topic.

    Added 5 Feb 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    IPAF INNOVATE 2018 Workshop Results
  • This strategy paper has been created following an industry-wide consultation into new eXtended Reality (XR) technologies including virtual reality (VR) and MEWP simulators. IPAF members worked with IPAF to produce a policy document on how virtual reality systems can be effectively and safely harnessed to train MEWP operators.

    Added 22 Jan 2019
    Last updated

    Resource also available in:

    IPAF eXtended Reality XR Strategy Paper