This document is intended to provide practical guidance for IPAF-approved Training Centres to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 when undertaking training on MEWPs, MCWPs and Hoists.

The aim of IPAF’s Innovate event 2019 was to address key industry issues in order to develop potential solutions that would improve the safe and effective use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as AWPs. At the event, industry stakeholders worked together in small groups to develop achievable solutions which could positively impact the issue at hand. This paper provides a summary of each topic that IPAF offers to the industry to support improved safety.

ANSI A92.22: Developing a MEWP Specific Safe Use Program & Supervisor Training. IPAF Webinar took place on January 13, 2020.

All employers have the obligation to provide their workers with a worksite that is free from recognized hazards that can result in harm to the employees. Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWPs) industry standards provide the roadmap for employers to meet their responsibilities. The webinar took place on 25 February 2021.

IPAF Swiss PDS. 22 January 2020. St. Jakob Park, Basel, Schweiz

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) can be used in confined areas, or near overhead structures. When travelling or when elevated there is a risk that the operator or the platform occupant may come in contact with an overhead obstruction.  This could result in crushing or entrapment of that person.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are not advertising displays. MEWPs are designed to take persons, tools and equipment within the platform to enable the occupants to work safely at height. Attaching a sign or banner to a MEWP will potentially make the MEWP unstable. This can cause an overturn and result in serious injuries to people and damage to property.

Ground conditions are critical for the stability of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). Unsuitable ground conditions can result in the MEWP overturning with potential loss of life.

Why is a rescue plan important? Quickly rescuing someone who has become trapped can make a very significant difference to the injuries sustained – it may be the difference between life and death.

A mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) must be inspected daily or at the start of each shift to make sure it is safe to use; and will not cause an injury to the platform occupants or other personnel.

The mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) may be significantly different than the MEWP the operator was trained on. Accidents can occur from operating an unfamiliar MEWP, for example by moving the platform in the opposite direction than intended, or by incorrectly setting up the outriggers.

The IPAF training categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations.

Always check ground loading and use the IPAF spreader pad calculator.

Be street smart! Manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic, create a safe working zone.

Working at height is a high-risk activity, take care of your people and be responsible for safety with IPAF's help. IPAF has a range of Andy Access posters, in multiple languages, to help your workforce, covering important mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and mast climbing work platform (MCWP) safety topics. All to help keep operators safe and prevent accidents.

Presentations from the IPAF Asia Conference (17 & 18 July 2019, Intercontinental Hotel, Hangzhou, China).

Before using a MEWP you must be trained to the applicable MEWP classification and be familiarised on the specific machine. Familiarisation is required on any MEWP that is significantly different in weight, height, length or complexity to the MEWP on which training took place. The operator, supervisor, ground person/rescuer, service engineer and demonstrator all need adequate familiarisation to undertake their duties. 

Presentations from the IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference (16 May 2019 at the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition, China).

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has a collection of logos that can be used by members and non-members, these are detailed on this page. The official IPAF Logo and IPAF.org logo are registered trademarks and can only be used by IPAF or with prior permission from IPAF. As such they are not available for download.

Exhibitions, trade fairs and other such shows can be challenging environments in which to operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Special consideration is required when displaying or demonstrating at such events.

Presentations from the 2019 IPAF Summit in Dubai, UAE. The theme for the conference was 'Get Ready for Digitalisation'.

Presentations from the 2022 IPAF Summit in London, UK. The theme for the conference was the 'Evolution of Safety'.