IPAF Don't Fall For It! and Women in Powered Access at Vertikal Days

A safety trail demonstrating positive behaviours to help prevent falls from the platform will be hosted in support of IPAF’s latest industry safety campaign at Vertikal Days 2022 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, UK, on 11-12 May. IPAF will also launch its new Women in Powered Access initiative at the event, which has returned to its usual slot in the calendar having been hosted in September last year.

Peter Douglas, CEO & MD of IPAF, comments: “We are determined that our new Don’t Fall For It! targeted global safety campaign will help to instil safe working practices and remind operators and managers of some fairly basic positive steps they can take to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring. The messaging is really simple – select the correct machine for the job, don’t take risks, don’t cut corners, and wear the correct personal fall protection equipment in boom-type platforms.”

Brian Parker, IPAF’s Head of Safety & Technical, adds: “With this safety campaign, IPAF is saying that, if you find yourself tempted to do something different to what you know is the right and proper way to work, or if you are ever asked to do something that you think just isn’t safe by a work colleague or supervisor, then ‘don’t fall for it!’ Far better to think twice and save a life – whether it is a workmate’s or your own!

“With our key safety stations we aim to talk our visitors through vital site assessments, planning tasks and operational observations to guard against common risks and to help reduce such accidents where possible. As always, our experts will be on hand to discuss all aspects of operational safety and training requirements for safe work at height using MEWPs.”

IPAF will also launch its Women in Powered Access initiative at the event, which aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions of women in powered access, as well as outlining career pathways for women both already in the industry and looking to enter it. The initiative is inspired by Karin Nars, who became the first woman elected to the role of IPAF President when confirmed at the IPAF AGM in London in March. IPAF will be hosting a press call on Stand 619 at 2pm on 11 May, the first day of Vertikal Days, where Karin Nars, IPAF team members and two female apprentices will be available to talk about the initiative.

Karin Nars says: “Inclusion is important because it enables people to share different perspectives in a supportive environment. Safety is a joint effort to which everybody can and should contribute to. Therefore, we cannot afford to exclude anybody from the conversation surrounding safety in our industry and the actions we recommend. While we may work in a male-dominated business, there is more to the story than that.

“An important first step is to encourage more women to bring their knowledge, passion and work ethic to our industry. The difference they can make can be a positive surprise in many ways. We already have thousands of women in our industry whose stories have not been told. And their stories are something young women need to see and hear – to help them become inspired and learn about paths women have taken in our industry. As an organisation, we can help share such stories.”

IPAF will also be looking to build on the success of last year’s event in terms of engaging with existing member companies and recruiting new members to join. Last year saw IPAF officially launch its new Safety Professional membership category, with dozens of new members subsequently signing up before the end of the year. IPAF is pleased to announce that Liftech joins as a dealer/distributor member – making it the first company to sign up during this year’s event.

Peter Douglas comments: “We are delighted to welcome another new member aboard and in particular we are pleased to be able to confirm this during another successful Vertikal Days, now back in its usual May slot.

“Companies can see the potential in joining the IPAF family, whether that is setting themselves apart from the competition through becoming an audited, accredited IPAF Training Centre or IPAF Rental+ member or joining in a specific membership category that will assist them in meeting set business objectives.

“We have also just announced that selected IPAF members will be eligible to claim a free version of our Global Powered Access Rental Market Report when the 2022 edition of the award-winning publication is published in June – a significant addition to the growing package of IPAF membership benefits. We look forward to outlining the details of this offer, and the wider benefits IPAF membership, to anyone who wishes to visit us on stand 619 during the event.”

● Find IPAF on Stand 619 (next to the Catering Pavilion) at Vertikal Days, 11-12 May 2022, to see the “Don’t Fall For It!” safety walk, discuss the ePAL mobile app, find out about the benefits of IPAF membership, and to meet and talk with our experts. Visit www.ipaf.org/events for details about all upcoming IPAF events appearances and webinars.