The International Powered Access Federation, based on the initial findings from its accident reporting database, reveals that rental equipment delivery drivers should be targeted for training and safety initiatives on the safe and effective use of mobile elevating work platforms. In addition, equipment operators should watch out for slips/trips/falls at the same level and pay attention to manual handling when working at height.
The findings are the result of the commitment by IPAF rental company members in the United Kingdom to report any known MEWP accidents involving their staff at the IPAF accident database. The findings were announced at the Vertikal Days exhibition in Haydock Park, where the IPAF stand featured demonstrations on the safe loading and unloading of MEWPs.
A total of 303 MEWP-related incidents were reported by IPAF U.K. rental company members involving their employees and employees of their customers where they have been made aware of incidents, from the time the project was voluntary in January 2012 until the end of April 2013.
Of these incidents, 46.2 percent (140) resulted in injury, 43.2 percent (131) resulted in damage, and 10.6 percent (32) were near misses.
Loading and unloading of MEWPs is potentially one of the most dangerous activities, an area that IPAF is focusing on. About a third of the incidents involved drivers (34.3 percent, 104). Industry sources estimate that there are approximately one million movements of MEWPs (delivery and collection) by road every year in the U.K. Other incidents involved engineers (25.1 percent, 76), customers (22.4 percent, 68) and operators (18.2 percent, 55).
Almost 95 of a total of 125 IPAF U.K. member rental companies have registered to report MEWP-related incidents at the IPAF database. Those who commit to report and sign off monthly get access to a dashboard that shows their company’s incident figures against the national average, a major benefit for health and safety benchmarking.
“The findings are groundbreaking,” said Tim Whiteman, IPAF CEO. “Credit is due to IPAF’s U.K. member rental companies for committing to report any known MEWP accidents involving their staff, and to the combined efforts of the IPAF U.K. Country Council in championing this project. IPAF is looking to start similar initiatives in other countries.”
“It is interesting to see that the initial data has produced no real surprises,” said IPAF technical officer Chris Wraith. “The industry is aware of the hazards and risks rental company employees are exposed to, including dog leading, falls from the truck body, slips/trips etc. With this factual data, IPAF can do more to create greater awareness and support its members in reducing the frequency and severity of such incidents. Through focused safety campaigns, we can help drive behavioral change and improve safety throughout the rental industry.”
To register and to report an accident involving a MEWP (also known as an AWP, aerial work platform or an MCWP, mast-climbing work platform), go to www.ipaf.org/accident.
IPAF is a not-for-profit members’ organization that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide.
