AIF Knowledge Base

Working at height continues to be a hot topic for all sectors of industry. Deaths and injuries resulting from falls from height remain a major concern, which is why the Access Industry Forum (AIF) will again be providing information and advice, and encouraging debate and discussion, on the latest developments in safety and best practice.

This year the Forum’s presence at the Safety & Health Expo will comprise the Working at Height Information Centre, Demonstration Area and Knowledge Base.

Information Centre:
Member organisations of the Forum, including IPAF (representing mobile elevating work platforms), NASC (scaffolding), PASMA (mobile access towers) and the Ladder Association will provide guidance on safety and best practice, together with details of their latest publications and training programmes.

Demonstration Area:
Returning in a new format, this dedicated area will be devoted to practical demonstrations of the latest access equipment and systems, with safety very much at the forefront of the agenda.

Knowledge Base:
Don’t miss this! In a strong and innovative programme involving senior representatives from organisations such as the British Safety Council, IIRSM, IOSH, RoSPA and HSE, the Forum will be sponsoring, and participating in, a series of working at height ‘stakeholder summits’, including a ground breaking panel discussion entitled ‘How to achieve the Holy Grail - no more working at height accidents - ever!’  Please see the full programme below. For more information about the speakers themselves visit www.accessindustryforum.org.uk

DAY ONE

11.00	HERO OR VILLAIN? WHERE NEXT FOR LADDERS AND STEPLADDERS? Julian Mountford, Production Manager, Clow Group & Ladder Association
11.30	JASON ANKER The impact of my life after a fall - a victim's perspective
	Jason Anker was paralysed from the waist down due to an avoidable incident while working at height. For many years he has been unable to talk openly about his experience. This is reflected in a story that is very raw; the emotion in which he delivers his talk is as strong as if it was the day of the incident. His story has a powerful impact and grabs the attention of those listening, from Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Operatives alike.
12.00	PANEL DISCUSSION Design vs. Cost vs. Safety Successful planning techniques to work at height
	There is increasing focus at the design stage of a project to consider methods of work at height not only in the construction process but through the total life of the project. But does work at height considerations so early in the process hamper creative flair and if so can there be a happy medium?
		Ray Johnson, Joint Managing Director, Safety & Access Ltd & Access Industry Forum
		Richard Habgood, President Elect, Association for Project Safety
		Peter Caplehorn, Royal Institute of British Architects
		Tony Baker, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
12.30	PASMA's fall protection review: Time to face the facts Don Aers, Technical Manager, PASMA
13.00	Are your MEWPs Safe? Chris Wraith, UK Quality and Safety Manager, Lavendon Access Services & IPAF
13.30	Latest developments in scaffolding guidance including SG4:10 and the new TG20:08 Interactive Guide Ray Johnson, Joint Managing Director, Safety & Access Ltd & NASC

DAY TWO

11.00	Latest developments in scaffolding guidance including SG4:10 and the new TG20:08 Interactive Guide Simon Hughes, Managing Director, Simian Risk Management & NASC
11.30	JASON ANKER The impact of my life after a fall - a victim's perspective
	Jason Anker was paralysed from the waist down due to an avoidable incident while working at height. For many years he has been unable to talk openly about his experience. This is reflected in a story that is very raw; the emotion in which he delivers his talk is as strong as if it was the day of the incident. His story has a powerful impact and grabs the attention of those listening, from Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Operatives alike.
12.00	PANEL DISCUSSION How to achieve the Holy Grail... No more working at height accidents. Ever!
	Will the continuing developments in safety in work at height best practice ever deliver zero incidents and accidents - if yes then are we taking the quickest route to achieve this objective and if it wont ever eliminate falls from height - why not?  Join these 'industry thought leaders' in what is considered to be the first ever meeting of all these organisations together. Discussion Chairman: David Thomas, Safety, Health and Environment Director, William Hare Ltd, and previously Principal Specialist Inspector of Health and Safety (Construction) at HSE
		Peter Bennett, AIF Chairman and Managing Director, PASMA
		Nigel Bryson, Bryson Consulting and British Safety Council
		Nick Johnson, Senior Advisor - Falls From Height, Health & Safety Executive
		Barry Holt, Director of Policy and Research, International Institute of Risk and Safety Management
		John A. Holden, Immediate Past President, IOSH
		Roger Bibbings, Occupational Safety Adviser, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
12.45	Developments in the Powered Access Industry IPAF’s Technical Officer
13.15	Hero or villain? Where next for ladders and stepladders? Mike Law, Sales Director, Abru & Ladder Association
13.45	Falls from Height - an HSE Perspective
	Nick Johnson, Senior Advisor -  Falls from Height, HSE will be discussing falls from height trends across different sectors; the factors that contribute to these incidents; guidance on managing the risks, and some of the initiatives that HSE is currently working on to support duty holders in their risk management.
14.15	PASMA's fall protection review: Time to face the facts Don Aers, Technical Manager, PASMA

DAY THREE

11.00	PASMA's fall protection review: Time to face the facts Don Aers, Technical Manager, PASMA
11.30	JASON ANKER The impact of my life after a fall - a victim's perspective
	Jason Anker was paralysed from the waist down due to an avoidable incident while working at height. For many years he has been unable to talk openly about his experience. This is reflected in a story that is very raw; the emotion in which he delivers his talk is as strong as if it was the day of the incident. His story has a powerful impact and grabs the attention of those listening, from Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Operatives alike.
12.00	PANEL DISCUSSION Maintaining effective WAH policies in a tough economic climate
	Safety professionals need to ensure they achieve as much 'bang for their buck' on any policy they manage and still attempt to improve safety. Work at height still needs to be safe and ideally incidents and accidents continue to reduce.  A tough ask in this current economic climate. Hear from some of the industries key organisations on how to successfully balance these demands. Discussion Chairman: Leigh Sparrow, Editor, Cranes & Access Magazine
		Brian Parker, Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Manager, AFI Uplift, and Chairman of the IPAF Training Committee
		Geoff Hooke, Secretary General, British Safety Industry Federation
		Gary Hardwick, Chartered Institute of Building
		UK Contractors Group
12.30	Latest developments in scaffolding guidance including SG4:10 and the new TG20:08 Interactive Guide Rick Statham, Joint Managing Director, Safety & Access Ltd
13.00	Managing MEWPs Safely Chris Smith, Auditor, IPAF
13.30	Hero or villain? Where next for ladders and stepladders? David Walker, Past Chairman, Ladder Association and Managing Director, Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd

The AIF comprises the nine leading 'working at height' associations in the UK and represents all sectors of the industry.

• ATLAS (Association of Technical Lighting and Access Specialists)   
  www.atlas-1.org.uk
• EPF (Edge Protection Federation)
  www.epf-uk.org          
• FASET (Fall Arrest Safety Equipment Training)    
  www.faset.org.uk
• IPAF (International Powered Access Federation)             
  www.ipaf.org    
• LA (Ladder Association)                
  www.ladderassociation.org.uk
• NASC (National Access and Scaffolding Confederation)   
  www.nasc.org.uk
• PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association)           
  www.pasma.co.uk     
• SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association)     
  www.saema.org
• WAHSA (Work at Height Safety Association)       
  www.wahsa.org.uk

All of these associations are ‘standards-led’ and independently managed without any direct affiliation to any product manufacturer or supplier. This ensures that the guidance, advice and regulations that these organisations promote are objective and promote ultimate best, safe practice.

The AIF works closely with the HSE to develop best practice guidance across these product disciplines and indeed were very closely involved in the initial development of the Working At Height Regulations 2005 and continue to support the HSE via their ‘solutions’ database and their Shattered Lives campaign.

For more information on the AIF please visit: www.accessindustryforum.org.uk