IPAF to draft exhibition code of practice after scissor falls at UK show

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has been asked by aerial platform manufacturers to produce a code of practice for all those involved in exhibitions after an electric scissor was blown over by the wind on the first day of the Vertikal Days show in the UK.

The scissor – understood to be a Genie - blew over when it was hit by a freak gust of wind and hit a telehandler nearby. Nobody was injured in the incident. The Vertikal Days show is an outdoors event and the scissor, which is designed for indoor use, had a banner attached that may have acted as a sail.

In response, manufacturers held a meeting on the final day of the show, Thursday 26 June, to agree on measures to tighten up on exhibition practice. The meeting, chaired by Gordon Leicester, chairman of IPAF’s Rental+ committee and managing director of Facelift Access, was attended by manufacturers including Genie, JLG, Niftylift, Haulotte, Skyjack, Versalift and UpRight.

Tim Whiteman, managing director of IPAF, welcomed the very quick response to the accident among all manufacturers and told Access International; “There was a huge determination to learn from this unfortunate incident.”

Mr Whiteman said IPAF already produced ‘exhibition guidelines’ for manufacturers – governing issues such as the wearing of harnesses by demonstration staff – but said the new code of practice would go into more detail on issues such as the level of operator training required of different types of worker, including delivery drivers, sales and exhibitor staff.

AI understands, for example, that the manufacturer meeting discussed the option of ensuring that all sales staff be trained to demonstrator level, which is the middle of the three training levels offered by IPAF, above that of ‘operator’ and below ‘instructor’ level.

IPAF’s proposed code of practice will be sent to the manufacturers within two weeks.

The Vertikal Days show is a two-day event (25-26 June) held at Haydock Park in the UK. The show is being held this year for the second time and reportedly enjoyed a busy opening day, with more visitors and exhibitors than last year. The event aims to mirror the informal exhibition style pioneered by the Platformers’ Day show held each year in Hohenroda, Germany.