Report on MEWP fatalities worldwide
IPAF accident database reports 17 fatal accidents involving aerial platforms in first half of 2012
THERE were 17 fatal accidents worldwide involving mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), also known as aerial work platforms (AWPs), in the first half of 2012, according to preliminary results of the International Powered Access Federation’s accident database.
The causes of these accidents were fairly evenly spread: electrocution (4), overturn (4), mechanical related (4), fall from platform (4) and entrapment (1).
According to IPAF, seven of the accidents involved vehicle mounts (1b), six involved booms (3b) and three involved scissor lifts (3a), while in one accident the machine type was unknown. Of these accidents, 11 occurred in the US, two in the UK and one each in Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Spain.
Presenting the findings, IPAF’s technical officer, Chris Wraith, stressed that the results are preliminary and encouraged all manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users to report all known fatal and serious accidents involving MEWPs and AWPs worldwide at www.ipaf.org/accident
‘MEWPs and AWPs offer a safe and effective way to work at height, and we are collecting accident data in order to determine the main causes of the few accidents that happen,’ said IPAF’s chief executive officer, Tim Whiteman. ‘Data collected is kept confidential and will allow us to analyse any trends and make recommendations for improving safety.’
To date, more than 30 IPAF member companies have signed a voluntary pledge to report all known accidents involving MEWPs and AWPs.
Meanwhile, IPAF and the US-based Scaffold & Access Industry Association (SAIA) have reaffirmed their alliance to work together to promote safety in the use of powered access equipment throughout the US and Canada.
This commitment was reaffirmed by Steve Smith, outgoing president of the SAIA, and Tim Whiteman, chief executive officer of IPAF, at the SAIA annual convention held mid-July in Huntington Beach, California.
The objectives of the IPAF/SAIA alliance include: the development and promotion of appropriate standards and best practices; where appropriate, addressing safety and regulatory bodies with a common voice; and promoting the need for effective operator training.
