19.09.2014

IPAF issues half year accident report

IPAF has issued its half year accident database report, with 23 fatalities involving work platforms recorded so far this year.

The main causes of the fatalities included overturning (9) followed by falls from platforms (8), entrapment (3), electrocution (2) and technical/mechanical (1).

11 of the incidents involved self-propelled boom lifts, 10 involved truck/van/trailer lifts and in two cases the machine type has yet to be confirmed. Just over half of these fatalities occurred in the US (13), with two occurring in Germany and one each in Australia, Austria, Colombia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Afirca, Spain and the UK.
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IPAF technical and safety executive Chris Wraith said: “More companies are participating in the accident reporting project, which is generating more data in its third year, but it is too early to draw comparisons. This is a unique ground-breaking programme by the powered access industry to undertake ongoing analysis to learn lessons and improve safety worldwide. Preliminary findings from the accident reporting project have provided a rich source for improving IPAF’s training programmes and safety initiatives, for example, with regards to the safe loading and unloading of machines, and managing electrocution risks when working near power lines.”

IPAF launched its accident reporting project in January 2012 with the aim of building up a comprehensive record of known accidents in a common format. The data gathered enables IPAF and the industry as a whole to analyse, look for common trends and propose possible actions to further improve and promote the safe use of powered access worldwide. All manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users are encouraged to report any known fatal and serious accidents involving aerial work platforms and mast climbers at: www.ipaf.org/accident