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.

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.

A save-the-date notice has been issued to all training instructors and managers for a newly formatted annual Professional Development Seminar by IPAF. The 2019 UK PDS will be held at the Holiday Inn Birmingham M6 J7 on 17 September.

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.

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.

Booking is now open for the first IPAF UK regional meeting of 2019, which will be at the Holiday Inn, Wakefield, on Wednesday 6 February, beginning at 6:30pm. The line-up of speakers is confirmed, and those wishing to attend are urged to book now.

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.

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.

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.

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 now open for IPAF’s popular Elevation open meeting, conference and gala dinner, which is being reprised in 2019, at the same venue as last year, the DoubleTree by Hilton, Coventry, on 27 November, as the event line-up takes shape.

IPAF is pleased to again support UK Associations Week (17-21 June), which offers a chance for all British trade and membership organisations to celebrate the work they do, having been established in 2017 by the Institute of Association Leadership (IAL).

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.

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.

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.

IPAF has helped to bolster operator safety in Finland, after member firm Simeri OY became accredited to deliver PAL Card training for scissor and boom-type lifts.

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.

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 been shortlisted for two European Association Awards, being nominated in the Best Provision of Industry Information and Intelligence, and Best Association Conference categories. Winners are announced in March.

IPAF has relaunched its global accident reporting portal as part of a major drive to gather the best quality data from around the world, demonstrating what analysis can teach us about improving safety in powered access with a webinar on the latest trends.