FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

Anti-entrapment solutions

No one single device will prevent all crushing and trapping accidents, and the basis for preventing such accidents must go together with appropriate training, adequate familiarisation, risk assessment, proper planning and management of work at height, says IPAF. The Federation’s reminder comes amid a move by several UK contractors to require the fitting of specific anti-entrapment devices to all telescopic booms on their sites.

IPAF reiterates that there is current best practice guidance on avoiding trapping/crushing, first published in July 2010 by the UK-based Strategic Forum for Construction Plant Safety Group, of which IPAF is a part. This guidance is endorsed by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

“Incidents could have been prevented by correct planning and preparation, selection of appropriate machinery and proper use,” writes Phillip White, HM Chief Inspector of Construction and Chair of the HSE Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC), in the foreword to the guidance, referring to crushing/trapping incidents that have happened. “The guidance is straightforward, comprehensive and easy to adopt… I commend the guidance to anyone who owns, supplies or controls the operation of MEWPs. Please read the publication and turn the advice into action.”

The guidance is available free, also in six European languages and in a US edition, at the Publications section of www.ipaf.org.

IPAF has also published guidance on the selection of anti-entrapment devices for MEWPs, available in different languages and at the Publications section of www.ipaf.org. This document reviews existing anti-entrapment devices and systems, and stresses that no one particular device will prevent entrapment in all known circumstances. In selecting a device or system to address a single hazard, consideration should be given to the potential for significantly increasing other possible hazards.

“IPAF’s members have been at the forefront of the debate about understanding and preventing entrapment incidents,” said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. “These initiatives have involved manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and safety authorities around the world. The recently launched PAL+ training course is designed to address work in high risk environments. IPAF’s accident reporting project is intended to collect data on the main causes of accidents and how to prevent them. While there is a risk of trapping/crushing when operating equipment, MEWPs still are one of the safest ways to work at height and entrapment risks should be addressed on all fronts, not just through the reliance on the fitting of specific devices.”
 0
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More
Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior

Linda Potter
MAP Partner
Read More