Key spokespeople for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) are working closely with a new all-party working group of Westminster MPs led by Alison Thewliss, whose aim is to cut the alarming number of workplace fatalities in the UK that are caused by falls from height.

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.

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.

The regional events are an informal opportunity to meet other members and to discuss the role of IPAF and network with other powered access professionals and the range of event speakers.

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 second International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) Regional Meeting of the year is booking up fast, as attendees confirm their places for an evening of exceptional speakers and industry networking at the Mercure Hotel in Haydock, Merseyside.