Powered Access Interest Group

The Powered Access Interest Group is a joint Group of both CPA and IPAF members.

The Steering Committee places maintenance and servicing problems as a regular item on their agenda. During the past year manufacturers have become willing to share and supply information on potential machine problems in their ranges. Representatives from both IPAF and PAIG have regularly attended meetings with the Manufacturers Technical Committee (MTC) during the past year. It has recommended to all manufacturer members that their maintenance manuals should give information on permissible wear of critical components, although there was no formal agreement as to which format such information should be given in. Those representatives have been able to discuss the problems that relate directly to hirer's equipment which has been welcomed by the manufacturers.

The MTC sub-group was formed to investigate the frequency and causes of why operators have been killed in a boom type MEWP due to being pinned between the controls and overhead obstructions. During the last twelve months the MTC sub-group has been informed of cases where this has happened. Some manufacturer's have made modifications to boom type MEWP's to prevent this from happening. Industry has been working with manufacturers and will continue to do so until the problem is rectified. The HSE has recognised the problem of crushing within a number of different industries and further investigations are on-going.

The Group has expressed concerns about the number of incidents of drivers falling from the back of vehicles when loading/unloading MEWPS. IPAF has produced a training course for the loading/unloading of machines from transport; however, they feel it is the responsibility of the vehicle body manufacturers to come up with solutions to help prevent personnel falling from vehicles. The CPA has been working on guidance on loading/unloading transport with other Interest Groups which will be published in the Spring of 2009, in conjunction with the HSE's campaign on Falls from Height.

The industry has had growing concerns over the clarification of the difference between machine familiarisation and training. PAIG issued a statement about the importance of keeping the distinction between familiarisation and training clear, the legal requirement for the training and any subsequent familiarisation being the responsibility of the employer of the operator. Further discussions between HSE and PAIG are ongoing to clarify this issue.

Representatives from PAIG have been attending meetings on the revision of EN280. There was a new requirement for the use of cableless controls which would be based around the crane standards. Additional requirements on noise, emergency override of platform controls, electro magnetic compatibility, and emergency rescue from height were being incorporated into the draft. There were two further meetings of the EN280 Working Group before the draft revision is released for public comment.

Truck mounted Access platforms have been exempted from the requirements of the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) after extensive negotiations by the CPA. However, van mounted platforms do come under the regime as they run on white diesel and are deemed to be goods carrying vehicles.

Statement from the Powered Access Interest Group (PAIG)

A joint committee of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has called for all users of boom type access platforms to wear a full body harness with a short restraint lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point.

The Group specifically requests the HSE, Manufacturers, Hire Companies and Main Contractors to support this campaign to save lives through preventing ejection of users from boom platform baskets.

For full details obtain CPA - IPAF technical guidance note H1 (or refer to endorsing companies)

A new safety campaign called Clunk Click, which reinforces this message, has also been launched.