The International Powered Access Federation and its official magazine Access International have launched the first global awards specifically for the access industry. The trophies will be awarded on April 2, 2009 in Dublin, Ireland after the IPAF Summit.

The International Awards for Powered Access celebrate and reward best practice. The categories are:

• IPAF Safety Champion of the Year
• The Access Rental Company of the Year
• The Access International New Product of the Year
• Contribution to Safe Working at Height – Rental Company
• Contribution to Safe Working at Height – Equipment End User
• Contribution to Safe Working at Height – Manufacturer
• Mast Climbing Work Platform Achievement Award
• Access Industry Training Award
• Access Industry Environmental Award
• IPAF/Access International Lifetime Achievement Award

The awards are open to all companies, not just IPAF members. There are a number of awards open to IPAF members only, notably the New IPAF Training Centre of the Year, and The IPAF Instructor of the Year.

“These first awards for the access industry are a true recognition of excellence, as nominees are being judged by their peers,” said IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman. “We are looking for entries from all around the world and are particularly looking for nominations for the IPAF Safety Champion of the Year.”

Murray Pollok, managing editor of Access International, said, “Our industry prides itself on its record in increasing levels of safety and productivity on worksites all over the world, but we have never had an event where that contribution can be acknowledged. The first powered access awards will fill that gap, giving public recognition to the industry’s most innovative, successful and hardworking companies and individuals.”

Companies and individuals can enter themselves or nominate others. They can submit entries for more than one award, and more than one entry per category. There is no charge for entering. Entries must be for work done in 2008. The deadline for entries is January 30, 2009.

A panel of five industry judges will soon be announced. Entries must be submitted in English on the official entry forms. The entry form is available in Word format at www.ipaf.org/events.

Access International, published by the KHL Group, is the official magazine of IPAF.

IPAF is a not-for-profit members’ organization that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide. Members include rental companies, manufacturers, distributors and equipment owners.