IPAF Launches New ‘Share Your Story’ Safety Video and Calls for Industry Contributions
IPAF has released the third video in its ‘Share Your Story’ safety series, developed using real-life incident experiences shared by its members. Through reconstructing actual events, the initiative aims to drive industry-wide learning and cultural change, encouraging greater transparency, reflection and collaboration to improve safety across the powered access sector. The latest video, titled “Pedestrian […]
NASC publishes skills gap report
The UK scaffolding and access sector is facing a shortage of 40,000 skilled workers, according to a new report published by the NASC, the UK’s leading trade body for scaffolding and access. The NASC Skills Gap Report 2026 is based on responses from full NASC member companies and provides the first detailed snapshot of workforce capacity across […]
IPAF Launches New MEWP Spotter Training Course
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has released a new eLearning MEWP Spotter Training Course, designed for anyone who assists a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) operator in safely manoeuvring a machine into position. The new MEWP Spotter Training Course is concise, theory-only, and delivered entirely online. This is for convenience and enables candidates to learn in their own time, […]
IASA announce international scaffolding and access day
The International Access & Scaffolding Association (IASA) has officially launched International Scaffolding and Access Day, which from 2026 onwards will be celebrated every year on 14 May 🦺⛑️ For the inaugural event this year, IASA has selected the day’s theme as, “Recognising the industry. Supporting its people. Shaping its future.” International Scaffolding and Access Day will […]
IRATA: Report a problem, prevent a fatality
Reporting a problem today could save a life tomorrow. The latest addition to the IRATA safety awareness video series focuses on how incident reporting can influence safety outcomes long before an incident occurs. Although set in a rope access context, the message applies across all industries and work environments. Read the article, watch the video […]
IPAF Statement: Secondary Guarding Mandate for Scissor Lifts
Issued: 28 January 2026 IPAF fully supports the prevention of crushing and entrapment incidents across all Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), with particular focus on scissor lifts and 3A-type machines, where proximity to overhead structures and restricted work envelopes can significantly increase risk. These events remain a key fatal hazard in global accident data, and […]
Jan 2026 Issue: Scaffolding Insider
The first issue of Scaffolding Insider (from the NASC) in 2026 is out now!🥳 In this month’s issue you can read…💙 Obituary: Wayne Connelly⛑️ Feature: Scaffold sheeting and fire safety💻 Feature: A New Digital Era for NASC & CISRS📩 Project focus: Off the Beaten Path Click here to access the magazine >
IPAF celebrates global training milestone as 3 million PAL cards issued worldwide!
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has reached a significant global milestone, with three million Powered Access Licence (PAL) Cards being issued since the training programme inception in 1993. This achievement means that three million operators have been trained to IPAF’s internationally recognised standards. The PAL Card is the most widely recognised proof of operator […]
SAEMA Training Recognised as a UK National Leader!
The Specialist Access & Engineering Maintenance Association (SAEMA) has been officially recognised as a national leader in professional development at the 2025 Association Excellence Awards in London. This distinction places SAEMA among the best UK trade associations for learning and training excellence, proving our ability to deliver high-impact training alongside much larger organizations. This award […]
New BSI Standards – BS 8460:2025 and BS 7981:2025
IPAF is pleased to share that BSI has published two new codes of practice for powered access platforms: BS 8460:2025 ‘Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) – Code of Practice’ and BS 7981:2025 ‘Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) – Selection, Configuration, Installation, Maintenance, Thorough Examination and Safe Use – Code of Practice’. BS 8460:2025 -complete restructuring and […]