IPAF releases worldwide MEWP accident data
IPAF’s accident reporting project shows that there were 26 deaths resulting from 25 accidents worldwide involving MEWPs from January to September 2012. There are around 1.5 million MEWPS in operation worldwide.
Results for the last quarter reveal that there were seven fatalities from six accidents that were reported in the months of July, August and September.
The main causes were reported as: fall from platform (7), electrocution (6), overturn (5), mechanical/technical (4) and entrapment (3).
Fifteen of the accidents occurred in the USA, three in the Netherlands, two in the UK and one each in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Spain and Switzerland.
IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman commented: “There are nearly 1.5 million MEWPs / AWPs in use around the world, and while every death is a tragedy, powered access is still a very safe way to work at height. The analysis of accident data will allow the industry to become even safer.”
