IPAF Toolbox Talks on fall-protection equipment

Two new short presentations with supporting Andy Access posters covering PFPE when using MEWPs

TWO new Toolbox Talks presentations aimed at explaining the use of personal fall-prevention equipment (PFPE) when using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and what to look for when checking PFPE before use, are now available from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

The short presentations, available in English with other languages to follow soon, add to the existing suite of Toolbox Talks that supplement the simple safety messages contained in the popular series of Andy Access posters for work sites.

The Toolbox Talks can be found on the IPAF website at www.ipaf.org/toolboxtalks, whilst IPAF’s Andy Access posters are available at www.ipaf.org/AndyAccess. All are free to download and available to users of MEWP or mast-climbing work platform (MCWP) equipment.

Peter Douglas, chief executive officer and managing director of IPAF, said: ‘These Toolbox Talks are already being used enthusiastically by managers and supervisors on a whole range of sites They are a simple way for employers to get simple safety messages across.

‘IPAF recommends that all those overseeing temporary work at height using powered access review and download the posters and presentations. They are short and to the point and only take a few minutes to deliver. These should be used on a daily or weekly basis to reinforce key safety messages.

‘Complacency and overfamiliarity with a task can be a danger in every workplace, so by introducing new topics you can ensure safety briefings stay fresh and help to concentrate minds. Even experienced operators will benefit from being reminded of the safety basics that sometimes get forgotten or overlooked during a busy working day.’

IPAF say the next wave of Andy Access posters and Toolbox Talks are in development with more due to be released throughout 2021.