IPAF speaks for its members and represents their interests in diverse forums. Below are some of the main associations or committees that IPAF is involved with for the benefit of members.

Access Industry Forum (AIF)

IPAF is an active member of the AIF, the UK umbrella organization for trade bodies and associations in the access industry, ranging from scaffolding, cradles and rope access, to ladders and powered access. IPAF's liaison person with the AIF is Giles Councell. The AIF collaborates with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on the Work at Height Solutions website. It also organizes the Access Village at the annual Health & Safety Expo in Birmingham.

ANSI standards committees

ANSI forms a strong component of the standards making process in the United States, and IPAF's participation is part of its service to members in monitoring and formulating standards.

IPAF's North American subsidiary, Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT), is an ANSI A92 main committee member, in addition to its presence on many A92 sub-committees. IPAF members sit on virtually all the ANSI standards committees, e.g.:

• A92.3 Manually Propelled Elevating Work Platforms (Tony Groat)
• A92.5 Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms (Tony Groat, Denny Eckstine)
• A92.6 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms (Tony Groat, Denny Eckstine)
• A92.9 Mast Climbing Work Platforms (Kevin O'Shea)
• A92.10 Transport Platforms (Kevin O'Shea)

European Federation of Materials Handling and Storage Equipment (FEM, Fédération Européenne de la Manutention)

IPAF is the secretariat to the FEM MEWP Product Group, which is coordinated by Giles Councell. The group has ongoing projects to collect market and accident statistics. It also monitors the relevant European and international standards.

European Rental Association (ERA)

IPAF has representatives on five ERA committees and sub-groups:

• Norms & Safety (Gil Male)
• Promotion (Gerhard Hillebrand)
• Statistics (Tim Whiteman)
• Theft (Giles Councell)
• Training (Rupert Douglas-Jones)

This active involvement ensures that the voice of the access industry is heard. IPAF is working with the ERA Statistics Committee, chaired by IPAF MD Tim Whiteman, to produce the first European access rental survey report.

Scaffold Industry Association (SIA)

The US-based SIA has a strong base of members who operate in scaffolding, suspended access and aerial platforms. The SIA recognizes and promotes the PAL Card as proof of training in the use of aerial work platforms and mast climbing work platforms. SIA members wishing to operate as approved training centers get preferred rates through AWPT, IPAF's North American subsidiary.