IPAF Promotes Work at Height Safety, Guidance and Training at Conexpo 2026
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) had a strong presence at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, held from 3–7 March at the Las Vegas Convention Center, showcasing its work in safety, training and industry collaboration for work at height.
Recognized as North America’s largest construction exhibition, this edition of CONEXPO welcomed 140,000 industry professionals from 128 countries. For IPAF, the event was an opportunity to connect with both long-standing members and companies new to the organization that were interested in learning how IPAF’s training, guidance and safety initiatives can help their teams work safely at height.
Engaging visitors at the IPAF stand
Throughout the week, IPAF welcomed visitors to its stand in the Grand Lobby, where the team highlighted the federation’s global safety campaigns, training programs and technical guidance.
IPAF’s core themes for the show were:
· eLearning: Accessible, Affordable, and A92.24-Compliant Training: Attendees learned about IPAF’s enhanced training curriculum, which supports ANSI/SAIA A92.24 requirements and is designed to remove traditional barriers to training.
· New Battery Guidance: The new guidance includes a technical guidance document, three Toolbox Talks and two Andy Access safety posters.
· Roadways Safety Campaign: IPAF North America’s latest safety campaign is titled How to Stay Safe on or Near Roadways, aimed at reducing the growing number of vehicle-related incidents involving MEWPs.
· Digital Innovation: IPAF delivered live demonstrations of its ePAL app, which provides digital PAL Cards, operator logbooks, training records, and access to safety guidance. The app is designed to help companies streamline training verification, improve record-keeping, and ensure that only trained operators are using MEWPs on site.
The stand also served as a hub for discussions with contractors, rental companies, manufacturers and other industry professionals keen to understand how IPAF membership and resources can support safer powered access operations.
Innovation across the show floor
The exhibition halls showcased a wide range of new machines, technologies and solutions from IPAF members and other companies across the construction and powered access industries. From electrified equipment and telematics systems to new safety features and machine designs, the event highlighted the pace of innovation shaping the future of work at height.
For the IPAF team, it was particularly encouraging to see so many innovations and new products from members and industry partners, as well as to meet companies interested in how IPAF’s guidance, training and safety initiatives can help their organizations improve safe working practices.
IPAF expertise shared in CONEXPO seminar
As part of the show’s education programme, IPAF North America regional manager Tony Groat delivered a seminar titled “Smart MEWP Selection: The Accessories that Take Safety Further.”
The session focused on how selecting the right mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) – and equipping it with appropriate accessories – can significantly improve safety and productivity on site. Groat emphasized that contractors should consider the full task, site conditions and potential hazards when selecting equipment, rather than simply choosing what is already available.
His presentation also highlighted how accessories such as outriggers, secondary guarding systems, fall protection solutions and visual warning systems can enhance both safety and efficiency when working at height.
“It’s not just about picking the right lift,” Tony explained. “It’s about equipping it for safety and efficiency.”
Strengthening industry connections
Participation in CONEXPO continues to be an important opportunity for IPAF to connect with the North American construction community, strengthen relationships with members and introduce new organizations to the federation’s safety initiatives.
By sharing expertise, promoting training and engaging with industry leaders, IPAF continues to support the powered access sector in improving safety and promoting best practice for work at height worldwide.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.