The powered height access equipment sector is increasingly developing intelligent technological solutions to prevent operators from acting in an unsafe manner and alert others to dangerous situations – and major contractors are now driving their take-up by mandating their adoption on sites.
By Paul Rankin, Nationwide Platforms on 27 May 2025
Powered access equipment is widely regarded as one of the safest methods for enabling work at height, but like any equipment, there is always scope for further improvements in its safe use. As a result, the industry’s trade body, the International Powered Access Federation, uses global campaigns, training, research and online incident reporting to encourage a culture where users of powered access are genuinely committed to safe working practices.
By Brian Parker, IPAF on 30 April 2025
Mobile access towers are a common type of work at height equipment, but it’s essential they are regularly and properly inspected to ensure they are safe to use.
By Don Aers, PASMA on 22 February 2023
Falls from the platform are the most common cause of serious injury and death when using mobile elevating work platforms – but they can easily be prevented.
By Brian Parker, IPAF on 01 February 2023
From virtual reality training to apps that offer alerts and checklists, technology is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring the safety of work at height.
By Hannah Williams on 16 February 2022
A global incident reporting system for powered access equipment provides crucial insight on the main causes of accidents – and how to avoid them.
By Brian Parker on 15 February 2022
The design standards for mobile access towers have been updated to make them even safer, so you should now select towers that meet the revised standards when buying new ones.
By Don Aers on 14 February 2022
Almost 30 years ago, I was descending a ladder when my life changed with devastating consequences.
By Jason Anker MBE Anker & Marsh / Proud2bSafe on 07 February 2022
Aluminium scaffold towers can provide safe access to awkward high areas, but it’s essential they are only designed, assembled and dismantled by qualified personnel.
By Don Aers on 22 March 2021
A new charity aims to prevent deadly falls from height by encouraging research into the behavioural changes needed to make work at height safer.
By Hannah Williams on 16 March 2021
