With the new ANSI standards set for publication on December 10, new guidance for companies or individuals that are seeking to become compliant with North American standards has been published by IPAF, with specific reference to how new CSA/ANSI standards will affect manufacturers, dealers, owners and users of MEWPs.

An exclusive site visit to the Manlift MEWP rental depot in Dubai, UAE – rarely opened to the public – has been announced as part of the programme for the IPAF Summit 2019, Meanwhile the nominations deadline for the 2019 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) has been extended until 14 December 2018.

A more robust system of reporting workplace falls overseen by a new independent body and a review of work at height culture that will consider the introduction of financial penalties for safety breaches are among the key findings of an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into safety while working at height in the UK.

Almost 350 industry professionals gathered on 6 March 2019 in Dubai, UAE, 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, and this was the first time the event was held in the Middle East. Those assembled at the Raddison Blu Deira Creek Hotel were also the first to learn the next edition of the awards ceremony will be returning to the UK for the first time since 2017 and will be held in London on 23 April 2020.

IPAF experienced a strong year in 2018, growing across the board in membership, training delivery, turnover and territories covered, reversing its 2017 deficit through efficiencies and cost controls, leading to revenues increasing by 8.5% year-on-year.

A new presidential team has been confirmed for the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), with Brad Boehler of Skyjack being elected to the role at the organisation’s AGM in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March 2019. Other changes to the IPAF Presidential team saw Norty Turner of United Rentals elected as IPAF Deputy President and Karin Nars of Dinolift confirmed as Vice President. Nick Selley of AFI-Uplift completed his full two-year term as President by handing the chain of office to Brad Boehler at the AGM, assuming the ex officio role of Immediate Past President. Meanwhile Andy Studdert of Cramo, the 2015-2017 IPAF President, maintains his seat on the IPAF Board as a Director.

A healthy future is predicted for the powered access industry, despite a backdrop of global uncertainty and probable economic slowdown, according to several speakers
at the recent IPAF Summit 2019, held for the first time in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March.

Registrations are now open for the inaugural IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference, which will take place on 16 May 2019 alongside the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition (15-18 May), Hunan Province, China.

IPAF has had an injunction awarded by the High Court of Madras against Capital Equipment Services Ltd (CESL) of Chennai, India, which had sought to copy and distribute IPAF’s training materials as its own MEWP operator course.

IPAF has announced a key appointment to its Technical & Safety Department, with Claude Dubé named as the organisation’s new UK Technical & Safety Manager, who joins IPAF’s head office in Crooklands, Cumbria.

A new Hire Controller Trailblazer Apprenticeship has been launched in the UK, with assistance from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), which has helped develop the new standard and associated end-point assessment, and has worked together with employers other trade bodies to create a common set of documents to support the new apprenticeship programme.

Henderson Insurance Brokers, an AON company, has been announced as the preferred insurance partner of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF),
in a move that will benefit IPAF members in the UK and Ireland. The company also becomes the third to join IPAF’s new Sustaining Member category.

The shortlist for the 2019 IAPAs has been announced, following a meeting of judges in Amsterdam. Those wishing to attend the IAPAs dinner and awards ceremony on 6 March in Dubai, UAE, are reminded the early-bird discount expires on 31 January.

The speakers for this year’s IPAF Summit in Dubai, UAE, on 6 March have been announced, with Matt Fearon, Genie President, and Peter Schrader, MD of Zeppelin Rental, among the names confirmed. Those wishing to attend the IAPAs dinner and presentation ceremony are reminded the early-bird discount expires on 31 January.

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.

Adopting digital technology, utilising big data and embracing Lean management techniques to deliver streamlined depots were among the themes of this year’s IPAF Summit, held at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel, Dubai, on 6 March 2019.

Booking is now open for the first IPAF UK regional meeting of 2019, which will be at the Holiday Inn, Wakefield, on Wednesday 6 February, beginning at 6:30pm. The line-up of speakers is confirmed, and those wishing to attend are urged to book now.

New eXtended Reality (XR) Technologies including virtual reality (VR) and MEWP simulators will soon be enhancing operator training, though not likely to replace practical testing for the foreseeable future, states a new strategy document from IPAF.

IPAF will officially launch its 2019 global safety campaign at the giant bauma construction equipment showcase near Munich, Germany, 8-14 April 2019. IPAF’s stand is confirmed as 711 in C4 hall of the exhibition site, and will also feature a sophisticated MEWP simulator, which proved very popular at IPAF’s events in 2018.

IPAF has signed an agreement with ASEAMAC, the Spanish Rental Association, to collaborate on projects and events and to offer discounted affiliate rates on subscriptions and events to members of each organisation. The agreement was signed by Tim Whiteman, CEO & MD of IPAF, and Juan José Torres, President of ASEAMAC, at ASEAMAC’s Annual Conference in Madrid, Spain.

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.