Jan. 17, 2012 - The International Powered Access Federation has begun a systematic project to collect worldwide data on accidents/incidents involving aerial work platforms with the aim of improving the safe use of equipment. Manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users are encouraged to report any known AWP accidents or incidents using the standard form that is available at the IPAF incident database. In the initial phase, IPAF is calling for reports of any known serious accidents and fatalities involving AWPs in the U.K., and any known fatalities involving AWPs worldwide.

“I applaud and encourage the efforts your industry is making to collect and analyse your own data,” wrote principal inspector Joy Jones of the U.K. Health and Safety Executive in an open letter to IPAF members. “Obtaining accident/incident data to identify trends and prioritize remedial action is a perennial problem. Companies sometimes have reservations about sharing their accident and incident data but, in my opinion, the reputation of industry representative organizations is enhanced when they base and prioritize their activities on evidence and evaluation.”   

“This project will enable IPAF to build a comprehensive record of known AWP incidents and store them in one location and in one common format, something which does not exist currently,” said IPAF technical officer Chris Wraith. “Based on the data gathered, IPAF will then be able to analyse and look for common trends, and propose possible actions to further improve and promote the safe use of AWPs worldwide.”

“Powered access offers one of the safest and most efficient ways to work at height,” noted IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. “When an accident happens involving a platform, it tends to become a spectacle and grabs the headlines. However, powered access actually accounts for a small percentage of all accidents related to work at height, and this project intends to uncover hard data to support that anecdotal evidence and to inform further safety initiatives.”

The construction industry has one of the highest rates of fatal injuries to workers. In the U.K. for example, it accounted for 50 of a total of 171 fatal injuries in 2010/2011, according to HSE statistics. Of the reported major non-fatal injuries, the most common involved slipping or tripping (40 per cent) and falls from height (16 per cent). Less is known about the nature of the accidents involving falls from height and the type of equipment involved, which is one aspect that the IPAF initiative seeks to address.

IPAF encourages everyone having an accident involving an AWP at their workplace to report it onling to the IPAF incident database, available at the IPAF website.

Related links

International Powered Access Federation

U.K. Health and Safety Executive