IPAF supports National Safety Month
16 June 2014
The US National Safety Council marks June as National Safety Month to highlight key safety issues. Access industry association IPAF is supporting the initiative and using the month to highlight important safety facts that relate to aerial work platforms.
The leading cause of fatalities in the workplace is falls from height. According to IPAF, the safe use and maintenance of aerial work platforms can help solve this issue.
Data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics show the leading causes of death involving the use of AWP equipment in construction to be electrocution, fall, tip-over, crushed, and collision.
In addition, the following are contributing factors to accidents, injuries and/or death: unauthorized modification, damaged equipment and environmental atmosphere
IPAF says that when used properly, AWPs are one of the safest methods of working at height. The association is urging companies to limit risks and always perform a risk assessment before operating an AWP.
IPAF has provided a free to download document on how to safely perform a workplace risk assessment, which is now available from its website.
