Employers, managers and supervisors are unaware of the scope of their responsibilities when using aerial work platforms on job sites, said speakers at the IPAF US Convention held at the end of October in the Orlando, Fla., area. Convention delegates learned how to meet the management responsibilities surrounding the use of AWPs, which are one of the safest and most effective ways to do temporary work at height.
Bryan Wimer from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health was the opening speaker. Wimer provided an overview of research projects on aerial lifts and mast climbing work platforms that NIOSH has completed. He also stated that NIOSH has been awarded funding for a research project partnering with IPAF and Motorola to develop smart phone applications to communicate safety information to workers.