IPAF’s Global Safety Report 2026 reveals that electrocutions and electric shocks were the top cause of fatalities and major incidents involving powered access in 2025.

The IPAF Global Safety Report 2026 examines accident data spanning 2016 to 2025, with a focus on the most recent year-on-year trends.

This year’s report shows that in 2025, there were 15% fewer fatal and major incidents reported, with 170 incident reports made compared to 201 reports in 2024. There were 76 fatalities reported, down from 100 in 2024 – marking a 24% decrease. A total of 192 people were involved in incidents (9% less than in 2024), and reports came from 25 countries (one less than in 2024).

In terms of incidents resulting in deaths or major injury, electrocutions and electric shocks were the leading cause of accidents in 2025. IPAF received 28 reports in this category from six countries, which included 20 fatalities. The majority of reported incidents (71%) were from the United States. Falls from the platform and overturns were the next most frequently reported causes.

Most incidents occurred on construction sites (37%), followed by other (14%), arboriculture (13%) and rental activity (13%). The top MEWP categories involved were 3b (26%) and 3a machines (25%).

Other key statistics from the report include:

  • A 14% increase in falls from the platform reports but 24% decrease in fatalities from 2024 to 2025.
  • A 68% reduction in reports of entrapment and 63% decrease in fatalities.
  • A 58% decrease in reports of overturns and 53% decrease in fatalities.
  • A 20% increase in incident reports of people or machines being hit by a falling object but a 50% decrease in fatalities.
  • A 125% increase in fatalities attributed to being hit by a vehicle or machine.
  • A 200% increase in incident reports related to mast climbing work platforms andconstruction hoists, with a 700% increase in fatalities (8 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.

https://www.ipaf.org/en-gb