IPAF Asia Conference held for the first time in Thailand

The IPAF Asia Conference 2023, a pivotal gathering of access industry experts and stakeholders, was held for the first time in Bangkok, Thailand. Attended by an impressive 153 participants representing 12 countries, the event drew together a diverse community of professionals dedicated to advancing safety, technology, and practices in the powered access industry. 

The conference, with a remarkable lineup of 15 distinguished industry speakers, demonstrated IPAF's commitment to fostering a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in the country. Spanning two days, the event considered industry trends, safety practices, technical advancements, and future prospects. 

The conference opened with a warm welcome from Peter Douglas, the CEO and Managing Director of IPAF. His opening address set an inspiring tone for the event, emphasising the importance of the safe and effective use of powered access. Mr. Sakdisilpa Tuladhorn, Director of the OSH Division at the Labour Protection and Welfare Department, Ministry of Labour Thailand, followed suit as the Guest of Honour, accentuating the event's significance within the domain of occupational safety and health. 

Ms. Supitchaya Sornsit, the SHAWPAT Practical Training Center & Field Training Development Lead and Trainer provided a comprehensive overview of incidents involving powered access machinery in Thailand. This presentation served as a critical starting point, laying the foundation for the insightful discussions to follow. 

The conference further explored multifaceted topics, including global safety reports, technological advancements, digitalisation, proactive safety measures, data-driven insights, market outlooks, and more. Industry stakeholders like Mike Ashton, He Dawei, Jasling Ong, Surasak Sonklin, Chi Sen Gay, Bernard Tan, Roseline Zhang, Julien Micheli, Martin Wraith, Raymond Wat, Desmond Ong, Jack Jim and Olivia Shen captivated attendees with their informative presentations. 

The event culminated in an interactive open floor discussion, where industry leaders engaged in conversations about robotics' rise in the MEWPs rental industry and the sustainability of the growing demand for eco-friendly construction equipment. 

The event's second day delegates were invited to attend a visit to Promech Service Center, a local rental company.  

IPAF would like to gratefully acknowledge the support from the event sponsors—Promech Resources, Sinoboom, TVH, Zoomlion, Quimo, Shandong Qiyun, CFMG, Skyjack, Aver Asia, Trackunit, JCB, Mantall, Exmile Tyre, Dingli, and Hunan Aerial Power— without whom the event would not be possible. Recognition is also extended to SHAWPAT, the supporting organisation, and all attendees who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the conference. 

Raymond Wat, IPAF SEA Regional General Manager, said: “We are grateful to our sponsors who made this event possible and our attendees who came to support our first event in Thailand. It was fantastic to see so much support for IPAF and the promotion of the safe use of MEWPs in the country. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our members to ensure we are doing all we can to prevent accidents so that all workers can return home safely after working at height.” 

Peter Douglas, CEO & Managing Director, adds “Thank you to all IPAF members and event sponsors who joined us at the first event in Thailand. We were pleased to announce next year's IPAF Asia Conference, will take place in China, the largest region in Asia for both IPAF training and membership. We look forward to welcoming guests together once again and having a successful event.”