IPAF Ready for Conexpo High Voltage Safety Campaign Launch

A major global safety campaign aimed at reducing electrocutions and avoiding contact with power lines while using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) will be officially launched at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas, NV, March 14-18, by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).  

According to analysis of data gathered from incidents involving powered access around the world, electrocutions are consistently among the top three causes of serious injuries and deaths across the ten-plus years IPAF has been collecting anonymized reports through its accident portal (www.ipafaccidentreporting.org).   

Tony Groat, IPAF’s North America Regional Manager, says: “Similar to IPAF’s Don’t Fall For It! targeted safety campaign, which is aimed at reducing falls from the platform – another of the most common causes of serious injuries and fatalities when using powered access – the High Voltage! campaign aims to raise awareness of risks involved when using MEWPs around power lines, and how to plan for safe working.  

“During Conexpo, the IPAF team will be offering on stand safety demonstrations, ‘No more shocks: How to minimize risks when working with MEWPs near power lines’ and offering a range of supporting safety and technical guidance documents free of charge. 

“With a significant proportion of the reports of serious injury and fatalities originating in the US, it makes sense to launch this campaign at Conexpo. Please do join us on the Festival Lot on Booth F8138 to hear more about the new campaign. As always, IPAF’s friendly team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about this, or indeed any aspect of powered access use.” 

Throughout the event and in addition to launching the High Voltage! safety campaign and live demonstration, the IPAF team will be offering a Ten-Minute Talk entitled “How to Deliver a MEWP-Specific Safe-Use Plan” to assist with compliance of new requirements of the updated ANSI A92 suite of standards, and there will be a chance for selected visitors to obtain offer a free copy of the SAIA Manual of Responsibilities ($10 face value), a requirement of the safe-use and training standards. Paul Roddis, IPAF Training Manager, will also give a presentation as part of the CONEXPO education program. 

Visitors to the IPAF booth will be invited to “Ask Us Anything” and there will be a range of complimentary resources for operators, contractors and rental companies, including safety guidance, downloadable posters and machine decals. The IPAF booth will host a media launch event for the High Voltage! safety campaign followed by a networking reception. Visitors to the booth can also learn about IPAF’s training program, the new ePAL app for smart phones, the IPAF Global Safety Report, Safety Professional membership and the IPAF Global Powered Access Rental Market reports – now available free of charge to all IPAF manufacturer, supplier, dealer/distributor and rental company members.   

● Find IPAF at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas, NV, March 14-18, on Booth F8138 in the Festival Lot; for details about the event visit www.conexpoconagg.com or see www.ipaf.org/events for information about all upcoming IPAF events and webinars.