IPAF’s latest safety campaign is called Street Smart and emphasises the importance of working safely at height using MEWPs on or next to roads. It is being launched by IPAF at the bauma 2019 expo at Messe München, Munich, Germany, 8-14 April.

IPAF has announced a ground-breaking agreement with member firm United Rentals, Inc, owner of the largest powered access rental fleet in the world. Following extensive evaluation, United Rentals is now able to deliver IPAF Certified mobile elevated work platform (MEWP), also known as AWP, operator training delivered through its United Academy blended learning platform.

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.

A comprehensive new industry “roadmap” to becoming a qualified MEWP technician or engineer has been finalised by IPAF, with a selection of recognised training courses now listed and open for enrolment on two distinct pathways to industry certification.

Regulators in Dubai have stated that all operators must hold a valid IPAF PAL Card to work using MEWPs and MCWPs. The Dubai Municipality’s technical guidance states that all operators must hold a PAL card, supervisors must be trained in managing MEWP or MCWP operations, and rental companies must train all staff accordingly.

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

We appreciate your support during this time and ask you to visit www.ipaf.org/covid19 regularly for updates from IPAF. Please contact us at [email protected] or your nearest IPAF office for any inquiries about this.

Accidents while working at height using MEWPs are proportionally more likely to occur when working in public areas or alongside roads than on controlled work sites such as construction sites or commercial premises, according to IPAF’s latest safety report. The report is now available to view or download free of charge via www.ipaf.org/accident

The IPAF Summit & IAPAs 2020 event, scheduled to be held in London, UK, on 23 April 2020, has been postponed and will now be held on 8 October, owing to ongoing concerns and contingency planning in response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.

The annual Innovate powered access industry workshop, presentation and award event has been canceled in 2020 owing to uncertainty around the global coronavirus outbreak by host IPAF. The event had been planned for May 5-6 in Chicago, IL.

This notice is to formally advise members that the next Annual General Meeting of the International Powered Access Federation will take place at 16:30 (UK) on 23 April 2020. The meeting is conducted in English and for this reason the documents are available only in English.

Build UK has written to the Government to request recognition for construction, trades and supply chain workers, including those in powered access, to secure permission to travel and maintain access to active construction sites during the coronavirus outbreak.

The annual Asia Conference & Showcase, scheduled to be held in Seoul, South Korea, has been cancelled in 2020 owing to uncertainty around the global coronavirus outbreak by host IPAF. The event will be held in 2022.

IPAF welcomes the introduction of a new International Standard regarding MEWP operator’s controls. ISO 21455:2020 has been published and culminates a decade of work from IPAF and its members, and the UK HSE, to standardise the actuation, displacement, location and method of operation of MEWP controls.

A new presidential team has been confirmed by IPAF, with Norty Turner of United Rentals officially invested during the federation’s 2020 AGM, held for the first time ever by video conference on 23 April owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Three new board members, seconded during 2019, were also confirmed at the AGM.

IPAF experienced a strong trading year in 2019, reporting growth across the board in terms of membership, training delivery and territories covered, leading to increased revenues, up 8.1% on 2018, according to the federation’s latest Annual Report.

During this difficult period, IPAF has continued to work with national governments, health & safety bodies and international standards organisations to ensure safety and best practice continue to be maintained and shared.

IPAF has renewed its official positions in Italy with some of the most authoritative and respected professionals of the Italian powered access sector with Paolo Pianigiani or IMER and Roberto Geromin of Gianfranco Savani.