IPAF Report Identifies Electrocution as Top Cause of Powered Access Incidents

Electrocutions and electric shocks were the leading cause of fatalities and major incidents involving powered access equipment in 2025, according to the International Powered Access Federation's (IPAF) Global Safety Report 2026.

The report, released September 2, analyzes anonymized incident data submitted through IPAF's global Accident Reporting Portal from 2016 through 2025, with an emphasis on year-over-year trends.

IPAF received 170 reports of fatal and major incidents in 2025, a 15% decrease from 201 reports in 2024. The incidents involved 192 people, 9% fewer than the previous year. There were 76 reported fatalities, down 24% from 100 in 2024. Reports came from 25 countries, one fewer than in 2024.

IPAF received 28 reports involving electrocutions and electric shocks from six countries in 2025. Those incidents resulted in 20 fatalities, with 71% of the reported incidents coming from the United States.

Falls from platforms and overturns were the next most frequently reported causes of fatal and major incidents.

Construction sites accounted for 37% of reported incidents, making them the most common location. Other reported settings accounted for 14%, while arboriculture and rental activity each represented 13%.

MEWPs in Category 3b accounted for 26% of the machines involved in reported incidents, followed by Category 3a machines at 25%.

IPAF's data showed a 14% increase in reports of falls from platforms from 2024 to 2025, although fatalities associated with those incidents decreased by 24%.

Reports of entrapment fell 68%, with fatalities decreasing 63%. Overturn reports decreased 58%, while fatalities from overturns declined 53%.

Incidents involving people or machines being hit by a falling object increased 20%, while associated fatalities decreased 50%. Fatalities attributed to people being hit by a vehicle or machine increased 125%.

Reports involving Mast Climbing Work Platforms and Construction Hoists increased 200%, while fatalities increased 700%, reaching eight fatalities.

“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,” said Brian Parker, head of safety & technical at IPAF.

“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 IPAF's  website.