THE International Powered Access Federation (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 learning and cultural change, encouraging greater transparency, reflection and collaboration to improve safety across the powered access sector.
The latest video, titled ‘Pedestrian Control Incident‘, tells the story of a delivery driver who sustained a fractured ankle while delivering two mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) to a manufacturing facility in England.
While manoeuvring a scissor lift in pedestrian control mode, the operator was injured after not maintaining a safe distance from the machine and becoming distracted by nearby activity. The reconstruction highlights how the task could have been carried out more safely through improved planning and correct operation.
Brian Parker, head of safety and technical at IPAF, said, “Pedestrian control mode is typically used where there are specific risks, such as a risk of crushing from overhead obstructions or uneven ground causing a risk of overturning, but in this case, the machine should have been operated from the platform. The operator also did not maintain a safe distance and was distracted by other activity on site.
“This video demonstrates how the task could have been completed differently – and the incident prevented – with more careful planning and operation.”
