The new chair of the IPAF UK & Ireland MCWP Work Group, Darren Brady.

The International Powered Access Federation's (IPAF) international mast climbing work platform (MCWP) committee has restructured with a focus on promoting safe use of MCWPs worldwide.

The international MCWP committee now comprises the UK & Ireland MCWP Work Group (formerly the UK & Ireland MCWP committee) and the MCWP Training Work Group. Other local and topic-specific work groups will be formed.

Kevin O'Shea, director of safety and training of Hydro Mobile (Canada), chairs IPAF's international MCWP committee and Adrian Bolton, construction manager of Alimak Hek (UK), is vice-chair. Darren Brady, operations director of Apollo Cradles, chairsthe IPAF UK & Ireland MCWP Work Group and Steven McEwan, from Scot-Train, is vice-chair.

Brady says: "The committee is fortunate to have some very experienced members in all aspects of the industry. The MCWP industry has suffered in recent years due to the economic downturn, but it is now returning to its original position and (MCWPs) remain one of the safest, most economical ways for men and materials to work at height."

The UK & Ireland MCWP Work Group and the international MCWP committee will prioritise these activities in the coming months:

* Encourage the MCWP industry to report incidents at the IPAF accident database, www.ipaf.org/accident.
* Develop and distribute case studies that highlight safe and effective use of MCWPs.
* Deliver presentations, eg at the IPAF Summit, that highlight synergies and compatibility of MCWPs and aerial work platforms.
* Review the MCWP training manual to simplify the language and structure.

Email Romina Vanzi, IPAF MCWP department manager, at mcwp@ipaf.org for more information on IPAF's MCWP activities.