IPAF to collect data on AWP accidents
By International Powered Access Federation
Associations News
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
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