IPAF China Regional Council Constituted to Enhance Safety in Powered Access

The IPAF China Regional Council (ICRC) has been officially constituted in a milestone meeting hosted by 3M at their Shanghai facilities on 28 February 2025. 

This marks a significant step in the development of IPAF’s activities in China, creating a dedicated workgroup focused on improving safety in the powered access industry. For the first time, various stakeholders, including manufacturers, rental companies, and training providers have come together with a common goal: to enhance safety standards across the industry. This collaborative effort signifies a shift from purely networking-focused engagement to proactive safety initiatives that will benefit the entire sector in China.

With over 70 IPAF members in China – most of whom are manufacturers – this newly established council provides a structured platform for rental and training companies to actively contribute to safety advancements. The newly elected leadership of the ICRC includes Ms Huang Hailan of Xiamen Highflyer Rental Co., as Chairperson and Mr Steve Guo of Hunan Sinoboom Intelligent Equipment Co., as Vice Chairperson. 

Ms Huang Hailan commented:

"I am very honoured to serve as the President of the first session of the ICRC, and I thank the members of the ICRC for their trust. We are a MEWP rental company from the south-eastern coastal region of China, established in 2018. Compared to mature rental companies internationally, we are still in the exploratory stage of development. The Chinese MEWP application market has enormous potential. After years of communicating with IPAF, we have also seen the importance of safety. Being elected as the chairman this time is not only an honour, but also a responsibility and commitment to safety. I am very much looking forward to continuing to collaborate with IPAF and industry colleagues to make our contribution to the safety of the MEWP industry."

Tim MO commented:

"After nearly 10 years of rapid growth and the promotion of various stakeholders, especially OEM and rental companies, MEWP machinery has been increasingly widely used in China. However, at the same time, it also faces huge challenges in terms of safety risk prevention. From regulatory authorities to the working site supervisor and frontline operations, there is an increasing emphasis on safety. IPAF has been cooperating and exchanging ideas in China for over 10 years, and now the establishment of the ICRC has also emerged. Through diversified means, IPAF will be able to build more possibilities, share its professional knowledge, experience, and resources accumulated over 40 years globally with Chinese peers and stakeholders, better supporting and promoting the safe and effective use of powered access in China."

One of the first initiatives launched by the ICRC is the “MEWP Safety Starts with Me” campaign, which will include a dedicated logo and pledge. This initiative aims to promote small but meaningful safety improvements, starting within the member companies themselves and leading by example. The establishment of the ICRC is a defining moment for powered access safety in China, bringing together key industry players to collectively work towards a safer and more regulated future.