ACCESS in ACTION
34 | ACCESS
in
ACTION | NOVEMBER 2013
IPAF’s accident database
has indicated there were
28 fatalities worldwide
involving mobile elevating
work platforms (MEWPs) in
the first half of 2013.
The main causes of
these fatalities were:
overturn (10), fall from
height (9), entrapment
(5), electrocution (3), and
impact with MEWP (1).
Thirteen of the fatalities
involved booms (3b), 10
involved scissor lifts (3a),
and three involved vehicle
mounts (1b). In two cases,
the machine type was
unknown.
Of these fatalities, 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.
While releasing these findings, IPAF
also updated the 2012 preliminary results
following the reporting of a previously
unrecorded fatal accident in Canada
in October 2012. This brings the total
fatalities in 2012 to 32, instead of the
31 initially reported.
Compared with the first half of 2012
which saw 17 fatalities reported, the
number of fatalities reported for the
first half of 2013 has increased by about
65%. IPAF believes the accident reporting
project is capturing more data, not
necessarily there are more accidents.
While the main causes of fatalities
were fairly evenly spread in the first
half of 2012, the first half of 2013 saw a
rise in the number of fatalities resulting
from overturn and fall from height. The
fatalities in the first half of 2012 involved
more booms (3b) and vehicle mounts (1b).
Those in the first half of 2013 involved
more booms (3b) and scissor lifts (3a).
“Findings from IPAF’s rental market
reports lead us to estimate there are more
than one million MEWPs in the world,”
IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman said.
“Every fatality is one too many, but these
figures show powered access equipment
remains a safe way to carry out temporary
work at height.”
“The accuracy of the data relies upon
those using MEWPs and other interested
parties to report any known fatal accidents
to IPAF at
or to
an IPAF member of staff,” IPAF technical
Graph showing the main causes of fatalities involving MEWPs in the first half of
2012 vs. in the first half of 2013
IPAF database reports 28 MEWPs fatalities
officer Chris Wraith said.
“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:
directly reported to the IPAF accident
database at
/
accident, 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 mobile
elevating work platforms
(MEWPs) and mast climbing
work platforms (MCWPs)
worldwide at 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 to by legal writ.
The only exception to this is manufacturers
will be given basic data if a machine
manufactured by their company is involved
in a fatal accident.
To register and to report an accident
involving a MEWP or an MCWP, go to
HR
Aspac Innovative Machinery Group in
Melbourne has released the ZEUS 32.16
in Australia as the first of a range of
extreme spider lifts.
According to Aspac’s Martin Eade the
Zeus 32.16 is a natural expansion of the
spider lift range. Previously the largest
unit available from Aspac has been the
Hinowa 23m lift but the launch of the
ZEUS 32.16 gives a 32m working height.
“The Zeus 32.16 gives you a 32m
working height and an incredible 16m of
outreach up to 23m,” Martin said.
“The Zeus 32.16 is remarkably compact;
at only 1100mm wide and 2270mm high
it will access most worksites with ease and
with a single set up arborists will be able
to trim or remove trees that previously
had to be climbed or were inaccessible to
large work platforms.
“The Zeus 32.16 features the latest
in safety and performance, automatic
levelling and wireless remote control, a
jib rotation of 110 degrees and is dual
powered by diesel engine and 240 V
The Zeus 32.16 gives a 32 metre working height
and 16 metres of outreach up to 23 metres
When the sky is no limit go Zeus
electrical power if required,” he said.
For more contact: 03 9796 4254 or visit:
HR
