New IPAF campaign focuses on overturns

IPAF has launched its 2025 Global Safety Campaign with a focus on overturns, following a rise in related fatal accidents.

Fatal overturns on MEWPs increased by 50% from January 2021 to December 2023, while instability leading to overturns is one of the top four industry causes of lost time incidents (LTIs) annually, according to IPAF. 

IPAF launched its Stop Overturns - Safety Starts on the Ground campaign this year. (Image: IPAF)

The Stop Overturns – Safety Starts on the Ground campaign has been informed by data from IPAF’s global Accident Reporting Portal.

As IPAF points out, overturns can result in operators and occupants being ejected from the platform and create complex rescue scenarios for those trapped at height during a partial overturn.

The latest statistics from the Accident Reporting Portal revealed that:

• Fatal overturns increased by 50% from January 2021 to December 2023.
• In the last decade, 108 fatalities, 64 major injuries, and 25 minor injuries, were reported and attributed to overturns incidents involving MEWPs. 64% of overturns were reported from North America, 18% from Europe, and 22% from Asia.​
• IPAF’s Brian Parker introduces the campaign at the IPAF Simmit.
  The occupation most affected was MEWP operators, with a small number from delivery drivers, technicians/engineers, company staff and the public.
• Of these 108 recorded fatalities, 52 were recorded in 2021-2023, and 33% of overturns happened on a 3A mobile scissor, followed by 1B static boom – vehicle (28%), 3B mobile boom (23%) and 1B static boom – tracked (12%).
• Instability leading to overturn is commonly among the top four industry causes of lost time incidents (LTIs) annually.
• MEWP overturns typically occur during setup, travel, or operation on inadequate or unsuitable ground or floor conditions. They can also occur while moving category 3A and 3B MEWPs across unsuitable terrain in either the elevated or stowed positions.
• The most common places for incidents to occur are construction premises, public areas, roads and highways, and rental yards.
• Non-fatal injury types result in fracture, concussion, bruising, impact pains, and cuts and lacerations.

Reflecting on the Global Safety Campaign release, IPAF’s Head of Safety & Technical, Brian Parker, commented, “We are reinforcing a crucial message: ground conditions matter. By understanding the risks and implementing proper safety measures, we can prevent overturns, protect lives, and create safer work environments worldwide. Let’s work together to make a significant impact and aim for a measurable decrease in MEWP overturns globally.”

Led by Parker and Alana Paterson, Head of Health, Safety & Environment at Taylor Woodrow & Chair of the IPAF International Safety Committee, the campaign emphasises when overturns occur, the hazards and risks – from injuries and fatalities to disruption of worksite and psychological impact – along with ways to manage and minimise the risks.

New guidance released 

Recognising the global reach of the campaign, IPAF has developed new industry guidance: The Assessment of Ground Conditions and Supporting Structures for The Safe Use of MEWPs. It is split into two parts: guidance for MEWP users, with sections on dewatering, suspended floors, and temporary works, and guidance for MEWP operators, focusing on the MEWP travelling on uneven ground, elevated, stowed position, slopes and positioning.

Other guidance in the overturns global safety campaign includes:

• A risk assessment should be conducted during the planning phase. This must include evaluation of the ground/support structures that MEWPs are to be positioned or travelled on to ensure they are safe.
• A MEWP pre-use inspection should be carried out by the operator prior to each use.
• A ground assessment should be made by the operator prior to each use of the MEWP.
• Walk the route: if a MEWP is to travel from one area to another, the operator should identify potential hazards by walking the route prior to MEWP operation.
• MEWP maintenance: owners should keep MEWPs in a safe-to-use condition in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and industry standards.
• Quality operator training: employers should ensure all their operators are adequately trained, familiarised.

As the campaign launches, IPAF urges industry participation, implementation of recommended safety measures, and the reporting of incidents to facilitate ongoing safety improvements.