IPAF hosts series of virtual inspection workshops

A series of virtual workshops to assist and support those who regularly carry out third-party inspections of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) and Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) will be hosted by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) to meet demand, which is particularly high across the Middle East region and South Asia.

The virtual workshops will be hosted by IPAF, each month featuring different equipment manufacturers presenting the important points to consider when carrying out six or twelve-month inspections on MEWP or MCWP equipment. The sessions are designed to assist engineers or inspectors, enhancing awareness of general principles, and increasing specific product knowledge for all those who join the sessions.

The workshops are the brainchild of Jason Woods, IPAF’s Regional Manager, Middle East and South Asia, who comments: “The first virtual workshop for MEWP inspectors will be held on 29 September, in conjunction with experts from IPAF member JLG. The session will deliver general tips and pointers to consider when carrying out a MEWP inspection, as well as specific product information relating to JLG’s key machine types.

“Already we have more than 220 engineers registered, but there are still some places available and we urge anyone being asked to carry out six or Twelve-monthly inspections to join the free virtual workshop. To book simply send an email to jason.woods@ipaf.org and we will supply a registration form by return.

“We’d like to thank all our workshop co-hosts and sponsors, starting with JLG. We currently have a further 14 workshops planned over the next few months. We are grateful to equipment manufacturers, national and regional governing bodies in helping to make these important sessions happen. We share the same goal of teaching others to be more effective when carrying out these vital equipment inspection tasks.

“At IPAF our goals are to reduce the risk of accidents and develop a greater understanding of MEWP and MCWP safety across all industries using powered access to perform work at height. We are pleased to offer third-party engineers this chance to get an in-depth look at some of these machines in a virtual, Covid-secure setting, and we hope those who participate will benefit from enhanced, direct communication with some of the powered access industry’s leading manufacturers.

“The sessions are designed to enhance specific product knowledge as well as broad best practice for all those involved in inspections of work platforms in the Middle East and South Asia.

“I hope you can join at least one of the workshops over the next few months, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or if you are an equipment manufacturer that would like to get involved in co-hosting one of the sessions.”

For booking and further information, please email me on jason.woods@ipaf.org or call +971 55309 4333; for training or guidance about using powered access equipment to conduct temporary work at height, see www.ipaf.org/contact for details of your nearest IPAF office or representative.