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11/01/2012
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IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation) has begun a project to collect worldwide data on incidents involving MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms) and AWPs (aerial work platforms), with the aim of improving the safe use of equipment.
 IPAF technical officer Chris Wraith is encouraging manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users to report any known MEWP accidents or incidents using a standard form available at www.ipaf.org/accident.
In the initial phase, IPAF is calling for reports of any known serious accidents and fatalities involving MEWPs in the UK, and any fatalities involving MEWPs worldwide.
"This project will enable IPAF to build a comprehensive record of known MEWP incidents and store them in one location and in one common format – something which does not exist currently," explains Wraith.
"Based on the data gathered, IPAF will then be able to analyse and look for common trends, and propose possible actions to further improve and promote the safe use of MEWPs worldwide," he adds.
"Powered access offers one of the safest and most efficient ways to work at height," comments IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman.
"But when an accident happens involving a platform, it tends to become a spectacle and grabs the headlines."
"I applaud and encourage the efforts your industry is making to collect and analyse your own data," adds HSE principal inspector Joy Jones.
"Obtaining accident data to identify trends and prioritise remedial action is a perennial problem… Companies sometimes have reservations about sharing their data but, in my opinion, the reputation of industry representative organisations is enhanced when they base and prioritise their activities on evidence and evaluation."
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Author
Brian Tinham
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