IPAF’s Global Safety Report 2026 has revealed that electrocutions and electric shocks were the leading cause of fatalities and major incidents involving powered access equipment in 2025, despite an overall reduction in accident reports and deaths across the sector. The findings are based on incidents submitted through IPAF’s global Accident Reporting Portal throughout 2025 and were unveiled during a live webinar on 2 September 2026.
The report examines accident data collected between 2016 and 2025, with particular focus on the most recent year-on-year trends. Through analysis of anonymised global data, IPAF aims to provide the industry with practical insights to help reduce accidents and improve safety performance across all powered access operations.
During 2025, IPAF recorded 170 fatal and major incident reports, compared with 201 in 2024, representing a 15% reduction. The number of fatalities fell from 100 to 76, a decrease of 24%. A total of 192 people were involved in incidents, down 9% on the previous year, while reports were submitted from 25 countries, one fewer than in 2024.
Electrocutions and electric shocks were the most significant cause of incidents resulting in death or major injury. IPAF received 28 reports in this category from six countries, including 20 fatalities. The United States accounted for 71% of all incidents reported in the category. Falls from the platform and overturns were the next most frequently reported causes of serious accidents.
Construction sites accounted for the largest proportion of incidents at 37%, followed by other activities at 14%, arboriculture at 13% and rental activities at 13%. The machine categories most commonly involved were 3b mobile elevating work platforms, which accounted for 26% of incidents, and 3a platforms at 25%.
The report also highlighted several notable trends. Reports of falls from the platform increased by 14%, although fatalities from such incidents decreased by 24%. Entrapment reports fell by 68%, accompanied by a 63% reduction in fatalities. Reports of overturns were down 58%, while fatalities associated with overturn incidents decreased by 53%.
There was also a 20% increase in reports involving people or machines being struck by falling objects, although fatalities in this category fell by 50%. Fatalities resulting from people being hit by a vehicle or machine increased by 125%.
A sharp rise was also seen in incidents involving Mast Climbing Work Platforms and Construction Hoists. Reports increased by 200%, while fatalities rose by 700%, resulting in eight deaths.
Brian Parker, Head of Safety & Technical at IPAF, said: “A 24% reduction in fatalities is encouraging and demonstrates that sustained industry focus can make a real difference, but we cannot allow this progress to lead to complacency.
“Every reported incident provides valuable learning, and the data highlights where our attention must remain firmly fixed – particularly around electrocutions, falls from the platform, overturns, and the emerging increase in incidents involving MCWPs and Construction Hoists. The Global Safety Report gives the powered access industry the evidence it needs to act, by strengthening planning and supervision, improving operator and frontline supervisor training, and reinforcing safe behaviours at every stage of powered access operations. By working together and continuing to share accident data, we can target our safety efforts where they are most needed and help reduce serious incidents and fatalities globally.”
The full IPAF Global Safety Report 2026 is available at www.ipaf.org/accident. The launch webinar can also be viewed via IPAF’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@ipaforg.
The International Powered Access Federation promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide through technical advice, information, safety initiatives, training programmes, and by influencing and interpreting legislation and standards.
IPAF is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members, which include manufacturers, rental companies, distributors, contractors and users of powered access equipment. The federation has members in more than 80 countries, whose organisations operate the majority of the global MEWP rental fleet and manufacture around 85% of powered access platforms available on the market.
Further information is available at www.ipaf.org.
