October 15-16, 2025 – Nashville, Tennessee

2025 Awards

Celebrating Excellence & Innovation 

The awards are free to enter and include categories that will cover products, technologies, work  processes and programs that enable safe and productive working at height.

All shortlisted companies receive two complementary tickets for the conference and awards. 

2025 Awards Categories

Working at Height Safety Innovation – OEM/Supplier

Safety Culture and Leadership Excellence – Rental 

Technology Innovation Award

New Product Award – Scissor Lifts

New Product Award – Boom Lifts

New Product Award – Atrium Lifts/Compact Crawlers   

IPAF North America Member Company of the Year

IPAF/ALH Person of the Year

Entry deadline: JULY 31, 2025

Please return completed entry forms and supporting material to: ana.solano@ipaf.org

Judging Criteria

This award recognizes an access equipment OEM or supplier that has made a significant contribution to improving safety in the working at height sector.
The winner will have demonstrated impactful innovation or sustained commitment to promoting safe practices either within their organization or across the wider industry over the past 12-18 months.
Judging will be based on the following criteria:
• Introduction of new features, products or systems that enhance user safety when using access equipment.
• Internal initiatives that embed a strong safety culture across the organization, which could include design philosophy, training programs or R&D activity.
• Industry engagement: demonstrate an active role in promoting industry-wide safe working at height practices through campaigns, partnerships, education or support of safety standards.
• Where possible, highlight actual results of safety-related innovations or initiatives.

This award honors a rental company or individual within a rental company that has provided leadership in creating a strong safety culture throughout its organization and the wider industry.
Among the key judging criteria will be:
• Leadership Commitment: Active leadership, both internally and industry-wide, in driving safety initiatives, setting clear expectations, and leading by example to create a positive, safety-first environment.
• Safety Culture Integration: Demonstrated commitment to safety at every level of the organization, with safety embedded in daily operations, decision-making and company values.
• For an individual, a demonstrated impact on changing or improving the safety culture of a company and/or the wider industry.
• Employee Engagement: evidence of meaningful employee involvement in safety programs, including training, reporting and continuous improvement efforts.

This award recognizes a significant new technology that advances the working at height and rental industries. The innovation could relate to technical/engineering innovations in MEWPs or telehandlers, or developments in software, IoT/telematics and artificial intelligence systems used by the industry.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
• The innovation should represent a clear advance over existing solutions or add something new, demonstrating originality and producing real benefits for rental companies and users/buyers of MEWPs and telehandlers. These benefits might be in operational efficiency, total cost of ownership, ease of ownership, improved reliability or business intelligence tools.
• Practicality and ease of implementation, with a focus on scalability and real-world application.
• The potential for the innovation to shape future industry practices or set new standards in the working at height and access equipment industry.

For manufacturers that have launched new scissor lifts. Judges will consider equipment launched from early 2024 and on.

For manufacturers that have launched new boom lifts. Judges will consider equipment launched from early 2024 and on.

For manufacturers that have launched new Atrium Lift/Compact Crawlers. Judges will consider equipment launched from early 2024 and on.

To be chosen by IPAF and announced at awards dinner.

To be chosen by IPAF & ALH magazine and announced at awards dinner.

2024 Awards Ceremony

Celebrating Excellence & Innovation 

The Country Music Awards (CMAs) couldn’t hold a candle to the Working at Height Awards, both of which were held on Nov. 20 in Nashville – directly across the street from one another. North America’s access and rental industry celebrated the best of the best on the evening of Nov. 20 with six winners taking home top honors at the inaugural Working at Height Conference & Awards. Also honored during the awards ceremony was John McClelland for his contribution to the industry.  

The awards are free to enter and include categories that will cover products, technologies, work  processes and programs that enable safe and productive working at height.

All shortlisted companies receive two complementary tickets for the conference and awards. 

2024 shortlists and winners

Working at height safety innovation – OEM/supplier
WINNER: Haulotte – FASTN

JLG – Training

Magni – TH fixed boom telehandlers

Niftylift – ClipOn

Technology Innovation award
JLG – ClearSky SmartFleet

Palazzani – TSJ 82

Niftylift – Hydrogen-electric technology

WINNER: Sigalarm – SIG-LITE
New product award – scissor lifts​
JLG – ES4046

MEC – Micro 2032

WINNER: MEC – 3232SE

Skyjack – SJ3213
New product award –
boom lifts​
Genie – TraX

Haulotte – HA16 E PRO

WINNER: MEC – 85-J

Niftylift – SP45E

IPAF N.A. Member of the Year

WINNER: United Rentals

ALH and IPAF Person of the Year

WINNER: Ebbe Christensen

2024 judges

Brian Clark
Director of product support, Sunbelt Rentals.

Don Satterfield
Senior manager of EHS, Home Depot Rental.
Ebbe Christensen
president, Ruthmann ReachMaster N.A.
Pat Witte
vice president of international sales and development, MEC Aerial Work Platforms.
Lindsey Anderson
Editor, Access Lift and Handlers.

Three reasons to enter the awards

Showcase Your Commitment to Safety and Excellence

Entering the awards allows you to highlight your commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards and operational excellence in working at height and powered access. Winning or even being nominated signals to clients, partners, and the industry that your organization prioritizes safety and adheres to best practices.

 

Gain Competitive Advantage and Industry Recognition 

Winning or being shortlisted for these awards can differentiate your business from competitors. The recognition can enhance your brand’s credibility, making you a preferred choice for clients and partners who value quality and innovation. It positions your company as a leader in the industry. Not to mention the marketing possibilities. 

Enhance Team Morale and Attract Talent

Recognition through awards boosts the morale of your team, validating their hard work and dedication. It also enhances your reputation as an employer, making your company more attractive to top talent in the industry who want to work with an award-winning organization.