With the global safety campaign 'Check it!', the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is intensifying its focus on preventive maintenance and pre-inspections for aerial work platforms from 2026 onwards. The initiative targets three core areas: systematic pre-checks by operators, compliance with maintenance intervals, and professional service processes. For rental companies and operators, this means an intensification of documentation obligations – particularly with mixed fleets of conventional and electric work platforms.
The campaign responds to accident statistics from recent years that show a constant rate of preventable incidents due to inadequate inspection, despite technical advances. IPAF calls not only for daily visual inspections before work begins, but also for complete traceability of maintenance histories. For fleet managers, this means: telematics systems are becoming a must-have rather than a nice-to-have to automatically track service intervals and minimize downtime.
Haulotte, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of access platforms, has already responded: the French OEM is increasingly integrating digital checklists into its machine controls and expanding its Sherpal telematics system with maintenance reminders. At Haulotte, the focus is also on preventive diagnostic functions that monitor critical wear parts such as hydraulic hoses and slewing bearings – an approach designed to reduce downtime, particularly for scissor lifts in continuous operation.
The campaign is likely to influence competition in the rental market: providers who already use comprehensive maintenance documentation and digital handover protocols position themselves as quality leaders. Rental companies without standardized inspection processes face pressure to adapt – especially as insurers and employers' liability associations increasingly demand complete records. At the same time, operator training is moving into focus: IPAF's own certification programs (PAL Card) could be expanded in the future to include mandatory maintenance modules.
Industry observers expect the initiative to have regulatory consequences in the medium term. While 'Check it!' initially relies on voluntary commitment, national occupational safety authorities could convert the standards into binding regulations – similar to the Stage V emissions class. For operators, this means: investments in digital maintenance platforms and training are no longer optional but a prerequisite for legally compliant operations. The campaign runs officially until the end of 2026, but IPAF has already announced that it will permanently integrate the core messages into its training and certification programs.
