IPAF hosts Swiss Elevation 2022 event in Bellinzona

The Swiss Elevation event was hosted by the International Powered Access Federation on 22 September in Bellinzona in the Swiss canton of Ticino, with around 70 instructors and training centre staff participating in the seminar and associated activities, sponsored by Hinowa and Palazzani. 

The event began with IPAF’s Romina Vanzi, Head of Regional Development and MCWPs, setting out the agenda, which was aimed at giving industry updates and tackling training delivery and admin issues reported by some of IPAF’s Swiss Training Centres. 

Anouck Sauer, IPAF Member Support for Switzerland & French Speaking Countries, gave an overview of IPAF initiatives and training updates, before introducing IPAF’s new Swiss auditor Regula Tobler, who talked about the process and importance of IPAF’s Training Centre audit programme. A report was shared from the IPAF Swiss Training Committee and a short film created by Paul Roddis, IPAF’s Training Manager, on common mistakes made when assessing practical tests, was screened.  

During the lunch break, there was a chance for attendees to test their knowledge with a safety quiz based on IPAF’s Don't fall for it! safety campaign. Before Christine Lell, IPAF’s Representative for Switzerland & French-speaking countries, kicked off the afternoon session with the “Swiss IPAF awards”, including accolades for the country’s leading training centres and individual instructors. 

Attendees then joined a “murder mystery party”, in which participants were asked to investigate a fictitious death on a working construction site using “clues” from the Don't Fall For it! campaign. The session concluded with a workshop led by an IPAF Instructor on the correct use of a full-body harness, and a Q&A session led by Christine Lell.  

In the evening, a networking dinner was hosted in Bellinzona’s Castelgrande, with around 55 event participants staying on for an enjoyable end to the day.