Members and non-members who log data in the IPAF accident reporting portal (www.ipafaccidentreporting.org) are now able to access improved dashboard functions that allow them to track their own safety statistics against the wider industry.
“Until now, IPAF offered a limited interface for viewing reports via the portal, with logged-in users only able to view charts ranking the incidents reported by company as a proportion of the total, which allowed rough benchmarking against overall industry trends,” said Brian Parker, IPAF head of safety & technical.
Falls from the platform, electrocution and platform overturns are the most common type of incidents leading to serious injuries and deaths over the past ten years, according to the latest Global Safety Report, containing analysis of anonymized data collected via the portal.
Parker continued, “After extensive development work, we are pleased to announce that those using the incident reporting dashboards can now apply multiple filters that will give a snapshot of member company incidents entered against all database entries, which of course are completely anonymised so no company or individual can be identified.”
According to Parker, IPAF has been collecting accident report data for ten years. Currently the organization receives around 600 reports a year from more than 40 countries worldwide.
“By offering a quick and simple way for member companies to tailor their own database read-outs, we hope this will assist in making those activities safer, giving something back to our members in the rental industry who have been enthusiastic supporters of IPAF’s accident reporting since day one,” Parker stated.
Peter Douglas, CEO and managing director of IPAF, says his organization uses the incident database to inform all the work they do. This includes updates to their globally recognized training and forming their worldwide safety campaigns, such as the current Don’t Fall For It! initiative aimed at reducing falls from the platform.
“We need more data from across all sectors of industry, from as many countries as possible; especially via easy on-the-spot incident reporting through the ePAL app. We hope this empowers people to report accidents and near-misses, which too often go under-reported,” Douglas said.
Mark Keily is QHSE director at Sunbelt Rentals UK and chair of IPAF’s International Safety Committee. The committee helps verify and analyze the anonymized data.
Keily says the new tailorable incident dashboards along with the IPAF Global Safety Report, allow industry stakeholders to review their own working practices to ensure they have robust safety systems and adequate risk control measures in place.
He added, “They’re useful tools in the box for IPAF members.”
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
