The end of the current exemption for HGV-mounted Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) from annual MOT inspections in the UK is imminent, with the updated Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988 coming into force on 20 May 2018.

The North America Regional Council (NARC) of IPAF has selected Ebbe Christensen of ReachMaster to succeed Teresa Kee of United Rentals as Chair of the Council. Jeff Stachowaik of Sunbelt Rentals, Forrest Hester of Tutus and Matthew Eckstine of Haulotte also joined the council at its latest meeting March 7 at the Miami Hilton Downtown hotel.

IPAF supports OSHA’s annual safety stand-down as part of its mission to promote the safe and effective use of powered access equipment – IPAF has developed poster artwork and toolbox talk guidance that are available for free download from the www.IPAF.org website as part of IPAF’s Andy Access campaign promoting the safe use of MEWPs and MCWPs.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has launched a major new website, featuring a complete design overhaul, more interactive menus and an intuitive interface that automatically picks up a user’s region and language settings.

Intermat,is a chance to showcase IPAF’s new safety campaign for 2018-19. This outlines why operators and managers conducting work at height using MEWPs should plan ahead for safety; carry out proper risk assessments, choose the correct equipment for the job, conduct site and machinery inspections, use trained and familiarised operators under proper supervision and implement adequate segregation from other plant machinery and traffic.

Visitors to the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) stand at Intermat 2018 in Paris, France, 23-28 April, will be able to try their hand at using a MEWP at height without ever leaving the ground thanks to an advanced virtual reality (VR) Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) simulator being showcased as part of the federation’s ongoing worldwide consultation on the technology.

A campaign emphasising the importance of planning ahead for safety when conducting temporary work at height using MEWPs has been launched by IPAF at Intermat 2018 in Paris, France. ‘Safety at height begins before you’ve even left the ground.’

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has experienced another year of global growth, seeing membership rise by 6.6% year-on-year, a 7.8% increase in turnover and global training delivery up by around 4%, according to the Annual Report 2017, published today in eight languages including for the first time in Chinese.

Around 300 industry professionals gathered on 8 March 2018 in Miami, USA, to honour the winners of the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs). Jointly organised by Access International and IPAF, the IAPAs celebrate best practice and excellence in the powered access industry.

Those assembled at the Hilton Miami Downtown were also the first to learn that the next edition of the awards ceremony will be held in Dubai, UAE.