Across 2017, IPAF’s Back to Basics safety campaign focusing on identifying and mitigating typical risk scenarios when operating Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) equipment worldwide has actively inspired and informed safety messages and key industry events from Las Vegas and Amsterdam to Shanghai and Abu Dhabi.

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.

The first wave of inductions to a new specialist apprenticeship aimed at certifying MEWP technicians that was developed with assistance IPAF is now confirmed.

What does the analysis of accident data from around the world teach us about safety in powered access? That is the important question under consideration in an upcoming instalment of an ongoing series of free webinars delivered by IPAF and guest experts.

IPAF used Vertikal Days 2023 at the East of England Showground near Peterborough to promote its current safety campaign – Safe Loading and Unloading.

Information gathered in a worldwide project to report accidents and near-misses has informed a major update to IPAF’s comprehensive training course on how to load and unload MEWPs and other plant equipment safely from trucks or trailers.

Because Christmas or other festive lighting installations often take place in high-footfall areas (shopping streets, pedestrian zones, municipal squares) and often under constrained timescales (night work, off hours) the additional risks need careful management.

IPAF has secured additional guidance from HMRC on the upcoming end to the rebate on red diesel for powered access machines in the form of a dedicated FAQ sheet.

Eagle Platforms has become the latest Sustaining Member of IPAF, with the UK rental and training company joining a list including Alimak, Aon, APEX, Haulotte and Riwal.

IPAF has seen a surge of new members, taking the total number beyond the 1,500 mark. The increase is partly owing to the powered access industry’s strong recovery after the pandemic and partly the introduction of a new Safety Professional category.

An agreement between IPAF and a local chapter of the National Safety Council of India will see the two organisations work together in the state of Kerala to spread awareness about key risks and mitigations when working at height.

A promising future lies ahead for members of IPAF Switzerland, which celebrates its 18th birthday this year with announcements on key improvements to its quality MEWP training programme, including updates to courses, digitalisation of delivery and the ePAL mobile app that already has more than 2,000 daily Swiss users.

Speakers for the IPAF Summit in, London, UK, on 10 March 2022, have now been confirmed, and will be presenting on the theme of “The Evolution of Safety”.

New members have been seconded to the IPAF Board, Ben Hirst and Julie Houston Smyth both stepping up, joining Riwal CEO Pedro Torres, who was seconded in June.

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.

IPAF has assured its members and the wider industry that powered access operations remain a vital part of UK construction, facilities, processing and maintenance supply chains, and as such companies should continue to operate during the latest lockdown.

A new representative to assist IPAF’s growing membership in South Korea has been announced, Roberto Kim having been appointed and taking up post with immediate effect. He will report to Raymond Wat, IPAF’s South East Asia Regional Manager.

An agreement has been signed between IPAF and member firm Trackunit to develop and deliver a new operator-focused app called ePAL, which will be free to download and will feature a digital IPAF PAL Card, operator log book, and vital safety guides.