OSHC Hong Kong becomes IPAF-approved training centre to meet 2026 safety standards

SOUTHEAST ASIA CONSTRUCTION12 May 2026

Alice Lam, principal consultant at OSHC (left), and Raymond Wat, IPAF SEA regional manager.

OSHC conducted its first IPAF Operator Training Course, compliant with ISO 18878, on 30 March 2026.

workplace safety IPAF MEWP power powered access construction safety operator training

The Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) Hong Kong and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) have announced a significant evolution in their long-standing partnership. Building on a collaboration that began in September 2024, OSHC has officially transitioned into an IPAF-approved training centre.

This strategic move ensures that OSHC is fully equipped to deliver IPAF’s internationally recognised MEWP Operator Training Course - ISO 18878, while aligning with the ‘Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms’ updated by the Hong Kong Labour Department in February 2026.

Since 2024, OSHC and IPAF have worked closely to deliver mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) operator and supervisor training. By upgrading to an approved training centre, OSHC now offers a localised hub for ISO-certified programmes that not only meet the Labour Department’s latest mandates, but also exceed them in technical rigour and global recognition.

As an IPAF-approved training centre, OSHC can provide enhanced value for the Hong Kong workforce:

a) International training standards: IPAF’s MEWP Operator Training Course is developed in accordance with ISO 18878, the global standard for MEWP operator training.

b) Globally recognised licence: The IPAF Powered Access Licence (PAL) Card is internationally recognised as a benchmark of high-quality MEWP operator competence.

c) 24/7 online verification: Site and safety managers can verify PAL Card authenticity anytime, so that all operator licences are valid, genuine and up to date.

To assist industry stakeholders in navigating the February 2026 regulatory updates, IPAF has released a specialised document titled ‘Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Operator Training Course Requirements in Hong Kong’.

Recognising the diverse needs of the local industry, this essential resource is available in both English and Traditional Chinese. It provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Labour Department’s requirements and illustrates how the IPAF curriculum fulfils and supersedes these benchmarks, ensuring that Hong Kong operators receive world-class safety education.

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