A vital new safety document has been published by IPAF, offering detailed guidance on Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) recovery and rescue procedures. The guidance, The Principles of MEWP Recovery and Rescue, emphasises the life-saving importance of rescue preparedness, urging employers, operators, and site supervisors to move beyond generic emergency plans.
The document outlines best practices for developing, implementing, and rehearsing machine-specific and site-specific rescue plans.
Key Features of the Guidance:
- Requirement for formal recovery and rescue planning
- Approved rescue methods, including platform-to-platform transfers
- Stakeholder involvement and familiarisation
- Scenario-based risk assessment and mitigation
- Strong focus on rehearsals and practical drills
Operators, supervisors, maintenance teams, and rescue personnel must be trained not just in theory, but in realistic, hands-on recovery exercises that reflect actual working conditions.
Companies are urged to:
- Download and review the guidance in full
- Audit and revise existing rescue procedures
- Ensure site-specific rescue plans are in place
- Conduct regular drills involving all relevant personnel
About IPAF
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes and enables the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide in the widest sense – through providing technical advice and information; by influencing and interpreting legislation and standards; and via its safety initiatives and training programmes.
IPAF is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members, which include manufacturers, rental companies, distributors, contractors and users of powered access. IPAF has members in more than 80 countries, who operate the majority of the MEWP rental fleet worldwide and manufacture about 85% of platforms on the market.