Award-winning instruction and assessment in the safe and effective use of powered access equipment will soon be available to the widest possible range of operators and managers, as the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) makes courses available in multiple languages across its global training centre network.

IPAF’s Technical & Safety department has issued global guidance on the remounting of second-hand MEWP equipment on a different chassis. The guidance emphasises the difficulty and high level of engineering expertise required to mount MEWPs on a chassis other than those for which they were originally designed, cautioning that “failure to mount or re-mount a MEWP correctly can and has led to serious accidents worldwide”.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories of the European Association Awards 2018, being nominated in the Best Provision of Industry Information and Intelligence, Best Association Conference (under 225 delegates) and Best Association Partnership or Collaboration categories.

Booking is open for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) Summit and the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) celebration dinner, to be held at the Hilton Miami Downtown in Florida, USA, on 8 March 2018. The theme for the Summit will be “Quantifying Sustainability”, and the first speakers are now confirmed.

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.

As of 25 May 2018, the EU introduces new General Data Protection Regulations. It’s not just all EU members states that must comply – any company anywhere in the world that holds data for EU citizens electronically will also have to be aware of the new rules and conform to them.

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.

The shortlisted nominees for the 2018 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs), jointly hosted by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access International, has been unveiled following the judges meeting in London, UK.

The recent Middle East Convention hosted by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, saw a Memorandum of Understanding signed between IPAF and the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).

A major consultation is to be launched as the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) sets out to establish the possibilities for powered access training and safety guidance afforded by new technology such as virtual reality and platform simulators, involving the more than 1,000 accredited IPAF instructors around the world.