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The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) announces the launch of its Global Safety Campaign for 2024, titled "CRUSHING CAN KILL!" The third Global Safety Campaign released during IPAF Head of Safety and Technical Brian Parker’s tenure aims to raise awareness and reduce entrapment and crushing incidents involving Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), which have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries over the past decade.

  • Putting up and removing seasonal decorations can quickly turn into a festive hangover if those tasked with the work do not know how to select the correct type of MEWP, overlook the need to use professionally trained operators and supervisors, or if they try to save time or money by not following safe working practices, IPAF has warned.

  • IPAF’s new International Safety Committee (ISC) has been convened for the first time, to assist in globalising standards development and implementation, and promoting awareness about industry safe practice.

  • New ways to renew and extend MEWP operator training have been made available by IPAF, giving operators renewing their PAL Card and training certification or taking their advanced operator PAL+ training further options to use VR sims and eLearning.

  • A VR sim on which to demonstrate operator training, and several safety stations using a selection of MEWPs to illustrate the key risks involved in the most common causes of MEWP accidents will be among the main draws on the IPAF stand at SMOPYC 2021

  • The ePAL mobile app for operators of powered access that brings training certification into the digital era and reduces the environmental impact of IPAF PAL Cards is now available in 26 additional territories, following its successful launch in the UK & Ireland.

  • A safety trail demonstrating the most common types of MEWP accidents, as identified by the latest analysis of data gathered in IPAF’s incident reporting project, will be the theme of the IPAF stand at Vertikal Days 2021 in Peterborough, UK, 22-23 September.

  • A certification equivalency agreement has been reached between the SSVV or Foundation for Safety Cooperation and IPAF that means all valid IPAF PAL Cards will now be recognised at petrochemicals sites and installations in the Netherlands.

  • The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) will support OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week, beginning with a free webinar on how to operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MCWPs), formerly known as Aerial Work Platforms, safely.

  • An International Safety Committee has been created by IPAF, to globalise standards development and assist in effective implementation and promoting awareness about industry safe practice. IPAF is now inviting representatives to join the new committee.

  • The latest IPAF Global Safety Report analyses the main causes of serious injuries and fatalities occurring when using powered access machines in the period 2016-2020, and highlights the need to gather more near-miss data from across the industry worldwide.

  • The latest addition to the Andy Access poster and Toolbox Talk series focuses on Nominated Ground Rescue Persons and the importance of their being familiar with
    the MEWP’s auxiliary/emergency lowering systems and the rescue plan that is in place.

  • The family of Roger Wickens, this year’s posthumous recipient of the Lifetime Achievement International Award for Powered Access, has been presented with a commemorative glass trophy following the virtual IAPAs ceremony earlier this year.