The International Powered Access Federation's (IPAF) accident database shows that 23 people died from incidents involving mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), also known as aerial work platforms (AWPs), during the first half of 2014.
The main causes of the fatalities: overturn (9), fall from height (8), entrapment (3), electrocution (2), and technical/mechanical (1). One of the entrapment fatalities involved a person on the ground being crushed between the base of the MEWP and another structure.
Eleven of the fatalities involved mobile boom lifts and 10 involved static boom lifts. In two cases, the machine type is as yet unconfirmed.
Of these fatalities, 13 occurred in the USA, two in Germany, and one each in Australia, Austria, Colombia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and the UK.
“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,” said Chris Wraith, IPAF technical & safety executive. “This is a unique ground-breaking program 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 programs 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’s accident data is based on information collected in a number of ways. They include: directly reported to the IPAF accident database at www.ipaf.org/accident, information obtained by IPAF staff worldwide, and information collated from press releases and news reports.
The comprehensiveness of the data cannot be guaranteed, but where appropriate, action is taken to verify the facts. The data is updated if additional relevant information becomes available.
“Accidents do occur, but we should keep in perspective that with over one million rental units worldwide, MEWPs are one of the safest ways to do temporary work at height,” said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. “And IPAF’s accident reporting project is designed to make a safe industry even safer.”
IPAF encourages all manufacturers, rental companies, contractors, and users of aerial lifts to report any known fatal and serious accidents involving mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) worldwide at the IPAF accident database.
The project is open to IPAF members and non-members, and includes an option for anonymous reporting.
To register and to report an accident involving a MEWP or an MCWP, go to www.ipaf.org/accident
IPAF is a non-profit members’ organization that promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide. Members include manufacturers, rental companies, contractors, and users. Details at www.ipaf.org
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