The IPAF Global Safety Report for 2023 has given us valuable insights into the trends and data related to the use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs), and hoists in various industries. The report highlights key points regarding incident reporting, industry sectors, and specific equipment types.
Here's a comprehensive summary of the report's key highlights:
Construction Incident Reporting Trends
The report indicates a consistent rise in incident reporting in the powered access industry. In 2022, there were a total of 759 incident reports from 34 countries, marking a 15% increase in the number of reports and a 21% increase in the number of countries compared to 2021. This suggests that the industry is becoming more engaged with safety reporting.
Furthermore, there have been a considerably lower number of incidents overall. It’s great to see the industry is prioritising safety more and putting more effort in that direction.
MEWPs and MCWPs Reporting
The most reported MEWP categories were 3a-type machines (i.e. scissor lifts) (26%), followed by 3b types (i.e. boom lifts) (24%), and 1b vehicles (18%). Compared to 2021, there were 60 more reports involving 3a MEWPs, making them the most frequently reported type, surpassing 3b machines.
Constituting a mere 1% of the reported incidents, mast climbers continue to be the safest choice among all forms of the access solutions available.
Top Reporting Countries
The number of reporting countries increased from 28 in 2021 to 34 in 2022, signifying a significant global expansion in incident reporting. The United Kingdom contributed the majority of incident reports in 2022, accounting for more than 60% of the total. The United States and the Republic of Korea, which have powered access markets of similar size, followed with nearly 20% each.
Most Reported Industry Sectors
The top sectors involved in incident reports remained consistent with the previous year. Rental activity, construction, and facilities management were the most frequent contributors to incident reports. Notably, there was a decrease in facilities management incidents compared to the previous year.
Safety Initiatives and Outcomes
The report emphasises the positive impact of safety initiatives and increased engagement with incident reporting. The introduction of the ePAL app facilitated easier and more immediate reporting of accidents and near-misses. Additionally, countries mandating accident reporting saw increased participation and reporting.
Future Vertical Access Considerations
While the data shows promising trends, the report acknowledges the need for continued efforts to enhance reporting and safety measures. The report calls for comprehensive reporting from all countries using powered access equipment, including MCWPs and hoists.
The IPAF Global Safety Report for 2023 reflects a positive trajectory in incident reporting, a decline in fatalities, and an increasing focus on MCWPs and hoists within the powered access industry. The report showed us the importance of sustained efforts to improve safety, promote reporting, and collaborate across the industry and work with a dependable mast climbing work platform supplier to ensure the well-being of workers and reduce incidents involving these specialised machines.