Investing in IPAF for Mutual Benefit

Offering help complying with industry standards, free safety and technical guidance, a range of live events, and much more, membership of IPAF offers a fantastic return on investment.

With industry experts on staff, IPAF is a reliable source of information and guidance.
With industry experts on staff, IPAF is a reliable source of information and guidance.

Not-for-profit organizations are legal entities organized and operated for a collective, public, or social benefit, and are not aiming to generate profit for its owners. A not-for-profit trade association can be of value for its members in many ways, such as to raise awareness in key topics and educate its members, provide advice on technical issues, serve as a forum for members to interact with each other, and represent a group of companies or an industry on key issues that need to be discussed with regulators or other industries or entities. 

The International Powered Access Federation – known by most in the industry simply as IPAF – is a global not-for-profit association that serves members around the world, focused on the safe and effective use of powered access equipment – specifically mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs), and construction hoists.  

IPAF focuses on both global and regional issues, but with a singular focus on powered access equipment, it can allocate all resources on activities that benefit its members and can leverage this work to advance training and safety programs. Their staff include industry experts who directly support the wants and needs of the industry. One of the core areas of effort is the harmonization of industry standards for the design, safe-use, and training associated with this equipment. 

Bal Guerrero (center) facilitates an IPAF Innovate workshopBal Guerrero (center) facilitates an IPAF Innovate workshopHarmonized standards are of value to every industry stakeholder and having your voice considered in their development is of value to your business. MEWP design, safe-use, and training standards can and do impact your company’s bottom line. IPAF is directly involved in the development of standards, carrying the voice of its members for consideration by those who are drafting updates and planning implementation of standards. 

With industry experts on staff, IPAF is a reliable source of information and guidance. The new MEWP standards in the U.S. and Canada have made significant changes in the responsibilities for industry stakeholders. With staff members who are on the standards development committees, members have access to those most familiar with the details they need to be familiar with their responsibilities and guidance on how to meet them. Unlike talking to your attorney, members will not get an invoice at the end of the call! 

IPAF can leverage all this expertise, lessons learned, and industry safe practices captured over the years into the development of training courses, with the collaboration of industry experts from around the world, to produce the most effective training available for operators and supervisors.  

The IPAF training program addresses methods and guidelines to prepare MEWP training materials, administrative criteria, and elements required to deliver training. The theory components of training are being developed to allow either instructor-led or remote online eLearning to allow training to occur at a time, place, pace, and convenience of the trainee. This program is a member benefit but can also be offered without IPAF administration and auditing by anyone in the industry. IPAF’s goal is to assist users in meeting their responsibilities for safe operations. 

Beyond the industry regulations and standards, IPAF develops technical guidance and collects industry data to support business decisions. IPAF has been compiling and analyzing MEWP rental market data for many years. The award-winning IPAF rental market reports, produced by DuckerFrontier, are presented in an easy-to-read format and are the definitive guide to the powered access rental markets. With key facts and figures such as fleet size, utilization rate, and retention period, they help senior management plan for future investments. 

IPAF tracks powered access accident data gathered through its worldwide accident reporting project, which has incident reporting from 25 countries around the globe. It is vital that IPAF capture the data and analyze the resulting statistics to see what trends are occurring and to influence regulations and standards, adapt training programs, and develop safety awareness campaigns. The resulting report is made available to everyone in the industry. 

Toolbox TalkToolbox TalkNeed more value from IPAF? Consider the many opportunities to network with other industry professionals both regionally and internationally. With membership composed of manufacturers, rental companies, training companies, contractors, and users, the exposure to new people and ideas is priceless. Aside from the business connection, many life-long friendships are made through IPAF. 

IPAF also raises awareness on key issues and industry topics through their endless safety campaigns. The Andy Access Safety posters and corresponding Toolbox Talks  are examples of how IPAF is constantly communicating valuable learning outcomes identified from the IPAF accident reporting project, reinforcing the key messages covered in training programs. 

Want more benefits than just listening or reading expert subject matter information? Then consider the many opportunities to become directly involved through councils, committees, and working groups. Manufacturers’ Technical Committee, Mast Climbing Work Platforms Committee, Training Committee, IPAF Rental+ Committee, International Safety Committee, IPAF country and regional councils, and other working groups offer you numerous opportunities to be “hands-on” in your country, region, and areas of expertise. You can get as involved as much or as little as your time and heart desires. It is certainly a worthwhile investment. 

Consider how IPAF can add value to your company and become a member today. Visit www.ipaf.org/en-us/become-member or email [email protected] with any questions you may have.  

Latest