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Save the date for IPAF’s 40th anniversary celebration event!
IPAF is hosting an event to mark its 40th anniversary at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in the West Midlands, 16-17 November 2023.
April 25, 2023
Winners of the IAPAs 2023 revealed in Berlin, Germany
The winners of the 2023 International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) have been announced at a gala ceremony on 20 April at the H4 Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz, the first time the celebratory event has been held in Germany’s capital. The host location for the 2024 IPAF Summit & IAPAs event was announced as Copenhagen, Denmark.
April 24, 2023
IPAF confirmed for Dansk Liftmesse 2023
IPAF representatives will attend Dansk Liftmesse 2023, the first expo focused solely on MEWPs in Denmark, which will be held in Slagelse near Copenhagen on 11-12 May.
April 13, 2023
Book now for IPAF ELEVANDO España 2023 in Bilbao
Book now to reserve a place at the annual IPAF ELEVANDO España event, which will be hosted at the Hotel Abba Euskalduna in Bilbao in the Basque region on 25-26 April.
April 12, 2023
Stage set for sell-out IPAF Summit & IAPAs in Berlin, Germany
The IPAF Summit & IAPAs 2023 in Berlin, Germany, on 20 April, are a complete sell-out for the second year running, following a two-year hiatus in physical events during the pandemic. Site visit and networking reception details have also been announced.
April 5, 2023
IPAF publishes guidance on avoiding contact with power lines
Comprehensive new guidance outlining key principles and ways to reduce risks
when using MEWPs in the vicinity of power lines, with the aim of helping to reduce electrocution and electric shock incidents, has been launched by IPAF at Conexpo.
March 16, 2023
High Voltage!
High Voltage!
chris.greenbank
Tue, 03/07/2023 – 14:42
ELECTRICITY CAN KILL – STAY ALERT, STAY ALIVE
Power lines can kill and are a danger when working at height using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
IPAF’s High Voltage! safety campaign identifies the hazards and risks associated with working near power lines and explains how to work safely to avoid the risks.
Powered access incidents involving electrocutions and electric shocks associated with power lines have notably increased since 2015.*
What are the Hazards and Risks?
If a MEWP or its occupants come into contact with power lines the result can be instant death, electric shock, or other injuries caused directly or indirectly by electricity.
Electric shock can also occur without direct contact with power lines as arcing or flashover may result if a MEWP is closer to the power line than a minimum of 3m or 10 feet.
Incorrect identification of overhead power lines is also a risk as they can be mistaken for telecommunication lines.
Other risk factors include power lines that may be hidden from view by vegetation or trees, a lack of work site supervision and operator complacency.
To reduce the risk of electrocutions and shocks, always:
Plan thoroughly – look out and around for power lines in the work area. Conduct a site survey and risk assessment ensuring a safe system of work (SSoW) is completed. Correct machine selection is critical. If power lines are in your work area contact the Energy Supply Authority (ESA) before work commences. Ensure all operators are briefed prior to commencement of work and that they are made aware of the presence of power lines in the vicinity.
Ensure operators are trained – anyone involved in the safe use of MEWPs must be properly trained on the MEWP they are using and must have received a machine-specific familiarization. As this is a high risk activity and can have severe consequences managers must ensure MEWP operators, supervisors and spotters are briefed on the SSoW.
Stay outside exclusion zones – an exclusion zone is the prescribed safety envelope around live electric power lines (minimum of 10ft for operators). You must not operate a MEWP where there is potential for any part of it to enter an exclusion zone. Distances for exclusion zones can vary; these must be obtained from the relevant ESA.
Know your rescue plan – if someone has been electrocuted by arcing of electricity or has been in contact with a power line, call the emergency services immediately and call the ESA to have the power turned off.
Follow these instructions:
STAY
if you are in the platform, stay there. If you are on the ground, do not approach the MEWP and remain
a safe distance away as recommended by the ESA.
CALL
the emergency services.
WAIT
for assistance from the emergency services and ESA.
Resources
The Safe Use of MEWPs in The Vicinity of Power Lines **NEW GUIDANCE DOCUMENT**
OSHA CFR 1910.333
ANSI A92 standards
IPAF Operators’ Safety Guide (available on the IPAF ePAL app)
IPAF Risk Assessment and Aerial Work Platform Equipment Selection
Andy Access poster – Keep Clear of Cables
Andy Access Shorts
IPAF Toolbox Talk – Avoiding contact with power lines
IPAF Global Safety Report
* According to data collated via IPAF’s global accident portal. The accident portal is a global facility where incidents and accidents can be reported anonymously. Data is analyzed annually for trends and used to inform training course content, improve existing guidance and identify messages of global safety campaigns. More info at: www.ipaf.org/accident
46
Global
No
ELECTRICITY CAN KILL – STAY ALERT, STAY ALIVE
Power lines can kill and are a danger when working at height using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
Documents
High Voltage Safety Campaign leaflet 2023 (TE-1149-0323-1-en-GB) (592.96KB)
March 7, 2023
IPAF plans Women in Powered Access breakfast event at APEX
A dedicated event aimed at providing a networking space for women working in powered access will be hosted by IPAF during APEX 2023 in Maastricht, Netherlands, as part of IPAF’s ongoing Women in Powered Access initiative.
Speakers announced for IPAF Summit 2023 in Berlin
Speakers have been announced for the IPAF Summit 2023, to be held in Berlin, Germany, on 20 April. The theme of the IPAF Summit has been confirmed as “The Future” – a look ahead to challenges and opportunities in powered access worldwide.
March 2, 2023
IPAF Rental+ quality scheme launches in Middle East
Rental companies looking to market quality service and safety to contractors in major construction, infrastructure, aviation and oil and gas across the Middle East have been introduced to IPAF Rental+ scheme with a special presentation in Dubai.
February 27, 2023
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