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  • Attendees at the recent ALH Conference have been urged to adopt the ANSI suite of standards related to the design, safe-use and training of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) in the US ahead of them being adopted into law by OSHA.

  • Understanding and reducing carbon footprint, social inclusion across the workforce, reducing and reusing resources as part of the circular economy are key to effecting sustainable change, according to speakers at IPAF’s Europlatform 2022 conference.

  • Representatives of IPAF have paid tribute to “dear friend” Cliff Goring of Alimak, a Senior IPAF Instructor and CAP assessor, who has died following a short illness.

  • Workers and managers using MEWPs to install and remove seasonal decorations and lights are being urged to download a comprehensive new technical guidance booklet that can help to avoid safety issues and to mitigate the key risks involved.

  • Don’t overload the hoist. Stay within the hoist rated capacity and observe the limits of the machine.

    Added 12 Oct 2022
    Last updated 5 Nov 2024

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  • Do you have a rescue plan? Always have a rescue plan in place for mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) and construction hoists.

    Added 14 Oct 2022
    Last updated 5 Nov 2024

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  • The loading of people and materials is critical to the safe operation of hoists. Unsecured loading could have an adverse effect and lead to serious injury or death of personnel. This TBT provides information on loading hoists correctly.

    Added 14 Oct 2022
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  • Quickly rescuing someone who has become trapped at height can make a very significant difference to the injuries sustained – it may be the difference between life and death.

    Added 14 Oct 2022
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  • IPAF can support safety professionals by providing a hub for safety, good practice, efficiency and technical know-how. Here you will find links to relevant documents, guidance, toolbox talks, and information to support you and your colleagues to work safely when using powered access.

  • IPAF is to offer a free webinar aimed at re-establishing full confidence in the safety of MCWPs as a means to offer work at height solutions on all construction-project façade works, following a UK HSE MCWP safety alert that was issued back in May this year.

  • Debbie Lewis
    IPAF Independent Instructor, UK

    Added 18 Oct 2022
    Last updated 15 Nov 2022

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  • An agreement between IPAF and a local chapter of the National Safety Council of India will see the two organisations work together in the state of Kerala to spread awareness about key risks and mitigations when working at height.

  • Each year, IPAF publishes four magazines for IPAF members and anyone with an interest in powered access. IPAF InForma for Italian-speakers, IPAF Journal for German-speakers, Powered Access magazine for the UK & Ireland audience and IPAF Elevating Safety for the US market. 

  • This webinar explores the benefits of using mast climbing work platforms for facade work over other available options. Also included is an update on the MCWP HSE Safety Alert issued earlier this year by the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE), and interpretation of the safety elements in the MCWP European regulation EN1495. Webinar sponsored by: Alimak and Maber

    Added 21 Oct 2022
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  • Judges for the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) 2023 have been confirmed. Comprising five long-standing access experts, with a wealth of knowledge across the sector, the independent panel will assess entries across the 12 categories.

  • Directives, Laws & Standards

    Obtaining CE or UKCA Certification

    UK Market Conformity Assessment Bodies & EU Notified Bodies.

    Added 2 Nov 2022
    Last updated 9 Nov 2022

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  • 8827: What browsers does ePAL support on Android?

    The latest version of ePAL for Android (available from Google Play) supports the following browsers:

    • Google Chrome
    • Samsung Internet
    • Firefox
    • Microsoft Edge

    If you need help with the ePAL app, please raise a support ticket through ePAL under the ‘More’ section, at www.ipaf.org/support or email support@ipaf-pal.org.

  • Technical Guidance

    MEWP Catapult Effect

    The catapult effect on a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) occurs when stored energy or an impact to the MEWP’s superstructure causes a whiplash effect, which travels through the boom to the platform.

    Added 7 Nov 2022
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  • IPAF ELEVANDO is set to return as an in-person event for the first time since the pandemic on November 10-11 in Querétaro, Mexico. The event is hosted by IPAF and covers developments in the powered access industry across all of Latin America.

  • Do you operate MEWPs near roads? Always work safely and set up an exclusion zone to protect the boom from entering a live road.

    Added 13 Dec 2022
    Last updated 5 Nov 2024

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  • Are your MEWP tyres safe to use? Always check the condition of your tyres and wheels as part of your pre-use inspection.

    Added 11 Nov 2022
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  • Operating MEWPs alongside roads can cause death or serious injury to operators or members of the public if the tasks are not adequately planned and machinery not positioned correctly. Due to the close working environment and proximity with other equipment, passing vehicles, buildings and pedestrians, the risk of a MEWP being impacted is significantly increased.

    Added 13 Dec 2022
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  • Tyres on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) can sometimes be the only contact points between the MEWP structure and the ground and are critical to the stability of the MEWP.

    The tyres, whether solid, air filled or polyurethane foam-filled support the weight of the machine while it is in use. In certain boom configurations this can be up to 80% of the total machine weight over one tyre.

    Added 11 Nov 2022
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  • A safety awareness leaflet has been issued to warn users of MEWPs about the catapult effect, which can cause occupants to be ejected from the platform, leading to serious injury and death, especially if occupants are not wearing the correct PFPE.

  • IPAF’s ePAL mobile application for operators of MEWPs and MCWPs has been recognised by Lift & Access magazine in the US, being awarded a prestigious LLEAP Gold accolade in the Aftermarket Support Products & Services category.