IPAF Seminar on Safe Use of MEWPs and Technology Advancements - Changsha, China

IPAF successfully held a safety and technology-focused event in Changsha, China, in May, drawing key players from China’s mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) industry. This regional event, sponsored by Hunan Sinoboom Intelligent Equipment and Haulotte China, emphasised the importance of safe operations and innovation in MEWP usage.

The conference kicked off with a welcome and update from Amanda Tan, IPAF’s Asia Regional Development Manager, who provided the latest developments from IPAF and highlighted the Federation’s ongoing efforts across the region to raise safety standards and support the MEWP industry’s growth.

This was followed by an important announcement from Tim Mo, IPAF’s China Regional Manager, who unveiled IPAF’s 2025 global safety campaign theme “STOP Overturns – Safety Starts from the Ground.” The campaign zeroes in on the root causes of MEWP overturn incidents, emphasizing ground condition assessment, proper planning, and operator training as key preventative measures.

The event featured a strong line-up of industry experts who delivered insightful presentations:

• Zhang Duankui, Technical Manager at SGS, shared his expertise on “MEWP Standards and Market Access,” providing a comprehensive overview of regulatory requirements and global standards that impact MEWP operations in China.
   
• Michael Jin, Senior Product Manager (Asia) at JLG, discussed “Safety Design and Practices in MEWPs,” focusing on how manufacturers integrate safety features into their machines to reduce risks on-site.
   
• Zhang Luxu, Technical Director of Changsha TOP AUTO, delved into “The Path to Intelligence and Safety in MEWPs,” exploring how smart technologies such as IoT and automation are reshaping equipment design and usage.
   
• Kong Huiyun, General Manager of Jiangsu Huanyuan, presented on “Inspection Practices for MEWPs,” highlighting best practices for equipment inspection and maintenance to prevent accidents and prolong machine lifespan.

A thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Safety Challenges of MEWPs in China” brought the event to a strong close. Moderated by Tim Mo, the panel featured:

• Liu Liming, Director of the MEWP Research Institute at Sunward Intelligent
   
• Cheng Yangyang, Service Director of Xiamen Highflyer Rental
   
• Kong Huiyun, General Manager of Jiangsu Huanyuan.

The panellists shared their unique perspectives on common safety challenges faced in China’s diverse MEWP operations, including training gaps, inconsistent inspection standards, and the need for better enforcement of safety protocols.

Reflecting on the event, Tim Mo commented:

“This gathering in Changsha is another important step following the success of the 2024 IPAF Asia Conference in Nanjing. While the scale here is more modest, the focus is sharper - localized, practical, and highly relevant to the region. We aim to roll out more such regional initiatives to strengthen safety awareness and promote the efficient use of MEWPs throughout China.”

The Changsha event reaffirmed IPAF’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety and innovation in powered access. By bringing together voices from manufacturing, inspection, rental, and standards bodies, IPAF continues to provide a vital platform for knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.