FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

Are you loading machines safely on site?

The safe loading and unloading of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs, also known as aerial work platforms or AWPs), is an essential part of site operations. At the bauma 2016 construction show in Munich, Germany, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) demonstrated how to load and unload MEWPs safely, and share good practices and findings from its accident reporting project.

Almost a third of MEWP-related incidents reported by rental companies involve delivery drivers while loading and unloading machines. This is one of the trends identified from IPAF’s accident reporting project, and the Federation is working to make MEWP loading and unloading activities safe and effective.

The campaign highlights the importance of planning and management of the delivery and collection processes. It also clarifies the responsibilities of different parties (including end users, contractors, rental companies, haulage companies and drivers) to communicate and cooperate to ensure the work is done safely and effectively.

“MEWPs are one of the safest tools to carry out temporary work at height, and IPAF wants to keep the industry safe by minimizing the potential dangers associated with loading and unloading,” said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. “The main causes of loading and unloading incidents have been traced to insecure loads and machines falling off between ramps. These risks can be prevented through proper training and management of the work.”

IPAF called on all its members exhibiting at bauma to observe safe loading and unloading practices in conformity with recommended guidelines. IPAF-approved training centers also offer a course on the loading and unloading of MEWPs, soon to be available in several languages.

More information is at www.ipaf.org.
 0
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More