04.09.2003

IPAF orgainses SAIE forum

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Italian trade organisation ASCOMAC have organised an international forum to promote the importance and benefits of training for all users of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPS). The forum entitled ‘Lifting Equipment and Training. Operating Licence for Aerial Work Platforms: problem or opportunity?’, will be held during the SAIE 2003 exhibition in Bologna, Italy, and will mark the first public appearance of IPAF’s new managing director designate, Tim Whiteman.

An international audience will be reminded that the implementation of 2001/45/EC – the Temporary work at Height Directive – required to be introduced by all EC members states form July, 2004, and be fully operational within two years, will require full training for all those that work at height and that companies which haven’t already, need to start taking provisions into account.

Even though UK regulations already require operating training, the new Work at Height Regulations will further strengthen the legislative demands and commenting on this, Whiteman said: “The European Union is making training compulsory throughout our industry and those industries that use our products. Companies need to act now to implement internationally recognised training schemes.

Joining Whiteman at the forum will be Dr Antonio Moccaldi, president of Italy’s Instituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro (ISPESL), which plays a major role as consulting organisation for the Italian Ministry of Welfare and in informing not only Italian but also European safety at work regulations and attitudes, and ASCOMAC president Dr Ing Giovanni Bonvicini.

Dr Ing Roberto Cianotti, director of the Safety Technologies Department at ISPESL will also give a presentation on the development of technical and regulatory factors in Europe influencing powered access equipment.

The forum will take place between 2 and 6 pm on Friday 17 October in the Sala Azzurra at the congress centre. Places can be reserved by contacting Gerhard Hillebrand on Tel: +39 02 93 58 18 73 Fax: +39 02 93 58 18 80 e-mail: [email protected]