News

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.

IPAF is launching a major update of its globally recognized 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.

A new presidential team has been confirmed for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), with Brad Boehler of Skyjack being elected to the role at the organization’s AGM in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March 2019. Other changes to the IPAF Presidential team saw Norty Turner of United Rentals elected as IPAF Deputy President and Karin Nars of Dinolift confirmed as Vice President. Nick Selley of AFI-Uplift completed his full two-year term as President by handing the chain of office to Brad Boehler at the AGM, assuming the ex officio role of Immediate Past President. Meanwhile, Andy Studdert of Cramo, the 2015-2017 IPAF President, maintains his seat on the IPAF Board as a Director.

Almost 350 industry professionals gathered on 6 March 2019 in Dubai, UAE, to honor the winners of the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs). Jointly organized by Access International and IPAF, the IAPAs celebrate best practice and excellence in the powered access industry, and this was the first time the event was held in the Middle East. Those assembled at the Raddison Blu Deira Creek Hotel were also the first to learn the next edition of the awards ceremony will be returning to the UK for the first time since 2017 and will be held in London on 23 April 2020.

IPAF experienced a strong year in 2018, growing across the board in membership, training delivery, turnover and territories covered, reversing its 2017 deficit through efficiencies and cost controls, leading to revenues increasing by 8.5% year-on-year.

A more robust system of reporting workplace falls overseen by a new independent body and a review of work at height culture that will consider the introduction of financial penalties for safety breaches are among the key findings of an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into safety while working at height in the UK.

IPAF has been shortlisted for two European Association Awards, being nominated in the Best Provision of Industry Information and Intelligence, and Best Association Conference (under 225 delegates) categories. Winners are announced in March.

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 organization and a “force for good practice and safety” in the worldwide powered access industry.

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 organization. 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.

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.

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.

The speakers for this year’s IPAF Summit in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March have been announced, with Matt Fearon, Genie President, and Peter Schrader, MD of Zeppelin Rental, among the names confirmed. Those wishing to attend the IAPAs dinner and presentation ceremony are reminded the early-bird discount expires on 31 January.

The shortlist for the 2019 IAPAs has been announced, following a meeting of judges in Amsterdam. Those wishing to attend the IAPAs dinner and awards ceremony on 6 March in Dubai, UAE, are reminded the early-bird discount expires on 31 January.

IPAF has agreed an official memorandum of understanding, committing to close co-operation with one of India’s leading occupational health & safety bodies, which was signed at the OSH India safety event in Mumbai at the end of November 2018.

An exclusive site visit to the Manlift MEWP rental depot in Dubai, UAE – rarely opened to the public – has been announced as part of the programme for the IPAF Summit 2019, Meanwhile the nominations deadline for the 2019 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) has been extended until 14 December 2018.

With the new ANSI standards set for publication on December 10, new guidance for companies or individuals that are seeking to become compliant with North American standards has been published by IPAF, with specific reference to how new CSA/ANSI standards will affect manufacturers, dealers, owners and users of MEWPs.

Robert Munn, Health & Safety Director, of the Expo 2020 world fair construction project has told IPAF’s fourth annual Middle East Convention that “everyone using a MEWP at Expo 2020 Dubai must have a PAL Card from IPAF.”

IPAF’s globally recognised PAL Card operator training has launched in a new language and new territory – with member firm Riwal now delivering the operator course in Russian to training candidates in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

Booking is now open for the annual IPAF Summit, which in 2019 will be held for the first time in the Middle East, and at the same time nominations for the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) have opened via www.iapa-summit.info

Haulotte, the international MEWP manufacturer, has reached a historic agreement that sees it become one of the first sustaining members of IPAF, which was formally signed at the Europlatform 2018 conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 11 October.