September 9, 2012 1:30 PM CDT
The causes of these accidents were fairly evenly spread: electrocution (4), overturn (4), mechanical related (4), fall from platform (4) and entrapment (1).
Seven accidents involved vehicle mounts (1b), six involved booms (3b), and three involved scissor lifts (3a). In one accident, the machine type was unknown.
Of these accidents, 11 occurred in the USA, two in the UK and one each in Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Spain.
Presenting these findings, IPAF 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 the IPAF Accident Database.
“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 CEO Tim Whiteman. “Data collected is kept confidential and will enable us to analyse any trends and make recommendations for improving safety.”
More than 30 IPAF member companies have signed a voluntary pledge to report all known accidents of their company involving MEWPs and AWPs. To see and sign the pledge, and to report accidents, go to the IPAF Accident Database.
IPAF reports 17 fatal accidents involving aerial platforms
Accident database statistics for worldwide use in the first half of 2012
By International Powered Access Federation
The IPAF accident database reports 17 fatal accidents involving aerial platforms worldwide for the 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 IPAF’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).
Seven accidents involved vehicle mounts (1b), six involved booms (3b), and three involved scissor lifts (3a). In one accident, the machine type was unknown.
Of these accidents, 11 occurred in the USA, two in the UK and one each in Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Spain.
Presenting these findings, IPAF 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 the IPAF Accident Database.
“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 CEO Tim Whiteman. “Data collected is kept confidential and will enable us to analyse any trends and make recommendations for improving safety.”
More than 30 IPAF member companies have signed a voluntary pledge to report all known accidents of their company involving MEWPs and AWPs. To see and sign the pledge, and to report accidents, go to the IPAF Accident Database.
Originally published in Masonry magazine.
About the Author
IPAF is the parent organization of North America's Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT). Both are not-for-profit member organizations that promote the safe and effective use of powered access equipment. Find more information at www.ipaf.org.
