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Arcoservices > MEWP > Jump in MEWP fatalities due to better accident reporting

Jump in MEWP fatalities due to better accident reporting

There were 28 fatalities worldwide involving mobile-elevating work platforms (MEWPs) in the first half of this year – a rise of 65 per cent on the equivalent six-month period last year – according to records from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF).

The main causes of fatalities in 2013 were: overturn (10), fall from height (nine), entrapment (five), electrocution (three), and impact with a MEWP (one). Thirteen of the fatalities involved booms, 10 involved scissor lifts, and three involved vehicle mounts. While the main causes of fatalities were fairly evenly spread in the first half of 2012, the first half of this year saw a rise in the number of fatalities resulting from overturn and fall from height.

Of the fatalities in 2013, 13 occurred in the USA, two each in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, and one each in Armenia, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, Norway, Spain and the UAE.

IPAF believes the jump in incidents over the two periods can be attributed to an accident-reporting project that is capturing more data, not necessarily that there are more accidents.

Said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman: "Every fatality is one too many, but these figures show that powered access equipment remains a safe way to carry out temporary work at height."

IPAF technical officer Chris Wraith added: "The accuracy of the data relies upon those using MEWPs and other interested parties to report any known fatal accidents to IPAF at www.ipaf.org/accident or to an IPAF member of staff.

"The comprehensiveness of the data cannot be guaranteed but, where appropriate, action is taken to verify the facts. The data is updated should relevant information become available."

IPAF's accident data is based on information collected in a number of ways: direct reports to the IPAF accident database, information obtained by IPAF staff worldwide, and information collated from press releases and news reports.

All manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users are encouraged to report any known fatal and serious accidents involving MEWPs and mast-climbing work platforms (MCWPs) worldwide to the IPAF accident database. The project is open to IPAF members and non-members, and includes an option for anonymous reporting.

All data collected is confidential and none of the detail of any accident is shared with third parties, or disclosed to safety authorities unless required by legal writ.

To register and to report an accident involving a MEWP or MCWP, go to www.ipaf.org/accident