IPAF showcases MEWP safety at OSH India event in Mumbai

Representatives of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) have showcased mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) safety guidance, including the importance of quality operator training, correct use of Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE) and the Don’t Fall For It! global safety campaign – designed to prevent falls from the platform at OSH India 2022 in Mumbai, 24-25 November. 

In addition to IPAF’s own experts on stand, representatives from IPAF member firms including JLG and Genie, participated in an on-stand panel discussion and offered useful information about how to safely use the MEWPs they manufacture. Manlift and iRISE also supported IPAF on stand; both operate active training centres delivering IPAF courses in India. 

Jason Woods, IPAF’s Regional Manager for the Middle East & South Asia, comments: “This event is one of the pre-eminent expos for health & safety professionals in India. IPAF offered a packed agenda across both days and our representatives on stand met many like-minded individuals to talk about MEWP safety, including the vital importance of quality operator training, using a harness and fall-restraint lanyard in boom-type MEWPs, incident reporting and much more.  

“While the powered access sector is certainly booming in India, unfortunately we do still see operating practices that are not recommended, leading to increased risk – such as using MEWPs from the ground controls to elevate operatives to conduct work at height. This show presented an ideal opportunity to explain to employers about the value of thorough training and machine familiarisation for all involved in MEWP operations.  

“Over the past few years, IPAF has partnered with organisations including the Occupational Health, Safety & Sustainability Association of India (OHSSAI) and the National Safety Council (NSI) of India to spread the word about work at height safety; it was great to meet show delegates to promote IPAF training, safety and technical guidance and our global Don’t Fall For It! safety campaign.  

“We also hope that post-event some show attendees will be interested in signing up to become IPAF members in the Safety Professional category, a category launched last year for individual members to working in relevant safety supervisory roles.  

“We’d like to thank those representatives of IPAF member firms including Genie, JLG, Manlift and iRISE that volunteered their time and expertise to help spread the safety message. Special thanks also to Samket Dhami from Access Platform Equipment Limited for his special presentation on the safe use of MCWPs, based on some of the outstanding work the company has done in India to date. It was certainly an excellent event and we enjoyed meeting all those who came to see IPAF on stand.”  

● For information about the OSH India events, please visit www.oshindia.com; see www.ipaf.org/events for more details of all upcoming IPAF events and webinars.