IPAF to record MEWP accident data
05 January 2012
IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) is to systematically record worldwide data on accidents/incidents involving mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) with the aim of improving the safe use of equipment.
IPAF is encouraging all member companies - manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users - to report any MEWP accidents or incidents using a standard form that will be available from 15 January 2012 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 known fatalities involving MEWPs worldwide.
The project will enable IPAF to build a comprehensive record of known incidents and store them in one location in a common format, something which does not exist currently.
IPAF said it will look for common trends and propose possible actions to further improve and promote the safe use of MEWPs.
MEWPs actually account for a small percentage of all accidents related to work at height, and this project intends to uncover hard data to inform further safety initiatives.
The incident database is supported by the UK's Health & Safety Executive (HSE). HSE principal inspector Joy Jones wrote in an open letter to IPAF members, "I applaud and encourage the efforts your industry is making to collect and analyse your own data. Obtaining accident/incident data to identify trends and prioritise remedial action is a perennial problem.
"Companies sometimes have reservations about sharing their accident/incident data but in my opinion, the reputation of industry representative organisations is enhanced when they base and prioritise their activities on evidence and evaluation."
If there has been an incident involving a MEWP at your workplace or involving your machines, you can report it from 15 January 2012 at www.ipaf.org/accident
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