Even with a 26% reduction in fatalities, the latest IPAF Global Safety Report shows the same causes are still leading to serious incidents, overturns, entrapment, and falls.
It highlights a hard truth: safety is not just about knowing the risks, it is about making the right decisions in the moment.
That is exactly why training, planning, and supervision remain critical when managing work at height.
In this blog, we will explore:
And from experience, those decisions are not always as straightforward as they should be.
Across the sessions we deliver, the same challenges come up time and time again:
We have seen how quickly a simulated operator emergency can expose gaps in rescue planning. In training, delayed reactions become learning points. In real life, those delays could be fatal.
We have also seen unsafe practices on site, including ladders balanced on stair rails and equipment being used outside of its intended purpose.
These are not unusual situations. They are everyday behaviours.
That is exactly why the IPAF MEWPs for Managers course exists.
The course is designed to help managers and supervisors move beyond theory and understand how to safely plan, supervise, and manage work at height in real working environments.
When Height Lift & Shift (HLS) recently welcomed delegates from facilities management, manufacturing, and logistics, the focus was on practical decision-making rather than passive learning.
Through real-world scenarios, group discussions, and case studies, delegates worked through the issues that most often lead to incidents on site and left with knowledge they could apply immediately.
It provides essential knowledge on:
If your organisation uses MEWPs, this course helps answer key questions:
This course is ideal for:
It is relevant across a wide range of sectors, including:
Facilities management
Food and drink manufacturing
General manufacturing
Construction
On successful completion:
Across the day, delegates covered the core safety, planning, and compliance topics involved in managing MEWP operations safely and effectively:
By the end of the day, delegates were not just able to repeat rules, but could apply them to their own sites, a key aim for both IPAF and HLS.
Feedback from attendees across multiple industries was extremely positive:
100% of delegates rated the course as excellent
100% rated it 4/5 or above, with 83% giving a full 5/5
Comments highlighted:
“A great refresh and update of knowledge”
“Applying what we learned to everyday work”
The most valued elements of the day were:
Practical group exercises
Equipment selection and planning scenarios
Real‑world discussions about MEWP management and site risk
If your teams use MEWPs, setting aside one day for IPAF MEWPs for Managers training can make a real difference to how safely and confidently work at height is planned. The course helps those who authorise and plan MEWP use to understand their duties, the equipment, and the practical realities of keeping people safe on site.
The IPAF MEWPs for Managers course is designed for a maximum of 10 delegates and typically takes around 7–8 hours to complete. It is delivered in clear, easy‑to‑follow modules so delegates can absorb and retain the key learning points. HLS can provide the training as a classroom‑based session or as an online programme, allowing your team to learn in the way that best fits your operations.
Alongside IPAF MEWPs for Managers, HLS can also support your wider work at height training needs with:
Materials handling training
Work at height consultancy and site support
To discuss your current challenges, upcoming projects, or to register interest in the next IPAF MEWPs for Managers course, contact HLS on +44 (0) 113 524 1018 or via the enquiry form on our website.