The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world with a speed and severity that few industries were prepared to handle. For the powered access sector, the crisis did not just disrupt operations – it laid bare the vulnerabilities in long-established ways of working, training, and communicating. Yet amid the lockdowns, economic shocks, and social distancing mandates, the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and its members found themselves at the center of an unexpected transformation. The pandemic became a catalyst for innovation in safety training, remote operations, and digital collaboration that may define the industry for decades to come. Understanding these changes and their implications is essential for every professional in construction, rental, and powered access operations. 10 Key Benefits of Joining the International Powered outlines why federation membership remains a cornerstone of professional development in this changing landscape.
The Pandemic’s Impact on the Powered Access Industry
The coronavirus crisis did not merely slow down business; it rewrote the fundamental rules of engagement for the powered access industry. With over 3 million confirmed cases in the United States alone during the early months and an unemployment peak of 14.7 percent amounting to 23 million people, the economic shock was severe and widespread. Rental companies, training centers, and construction sites across the country were forced to shut down or operate under radically altered conditions. Unlike seasonal disruptions that the industry knew how to manage, this was an indefinite shutdown with no clear endpoint.
An Industry Caught Off Guard
IPAF reached out to its members during the height of the crisis and received sobering feedback about how unprepared the industry was. One member captured the sentiment precisely: “The magnitude of the whole thing, and how it overnight changed the landscape for an entire industry, was shocking to most, and how unprepared the world is to a real pandemic is frightening.” Another quoted Warren Buffett’s observation: “It is only when the tide goes out that you realize who has been swimming naked.” The pandemic exposed how many companies were operating without adequate contingency planning for a global disruption of this scale.
Despite the shock, there was a surprising positive outcome. One member noted: “There are challenges to our businesses that few of us adequately addressed in our planning, and a very surprising result is that we have been able to continue to provide service to our customers while taking precautions.” The industry discovered resilience it did not know it had.
Uneven Impact Across Market Segments
Not all segments of the powered access market were affected equally. The differences in response between large national rental companies and smaller independent operators were striking. National chains entered an almost instant lockdown posture, while independents adopted a more pragmatic, opportunity-driven approach. Many smaller operators capitalized on canceled orders and surplus inventory to secure better deals from suppliers, demonstrating that agility can be a competitive advantage in a crisis.
The impact varied significantly across market segments:
- Small to medium hotel and condominium construction suffered a severe hit and has been slow to recover as hospitality investment dried up.
- Major infrastructure projects and complex engineering construction largely continued, buoyed by government spending and long-term commitments.
- General construction in the small to medium segment faced tough conditions with many projects delayed or canceled entirely.
Remote Work and Virtual Communication Reshape Operations
One of the most surprising outcomes of the pandemic was the speed and success with which the powered access industry adopted remote work. The assumption that on-site presence was irreplaceable for everything crumbled quickly. IPAF members reported remarkable productivity improvements during lockdown. “A project that prior took months was completed in weeks,” one member reported. The elimination of office interruptions, impromptu corridor meetings, and daily commutes created an environment for deep, focused work that many had not experienced before.
The shift also changed how teams communicated. Email pile-ups decreased because messages became more concise and purposeful, mirroring the shift from phone calls to text messaging where every word carries weight.
Video Conferencing Becomes the Default
The rapid adoption of video conferencing tools including Teams, Zoom, and WebEx permanently altered how the industry conducts business. One IPAF member captured the scale of the change: “Eight months ago, it was unthinkable that you would conduct an important meeting about fleet placement, product program presentation, and other strategic items any other way but a personal meeting.” Today, online meetings have become the default for most business interactions, and many industry professionals predict that business travel will be reduced by at least half permanently.
This shift is not limited to the younger generation. “It is widely accepted across the board,” one member observed. “This opens up new ways to conduct sales and marketing. It is easier to quickly establish a meeting online and discuss details rather than relying on emails or personal meetings.” The technology has proven itself, and there is no going back.
Reassessing Business Operations
The slowdown in business activity provided something that had been missing for years: time to think strategically. One operations manager reported approving every single invoice for an entire month, learning more about the financial realities of the business than any quarterly report had ever revealed. “Following the money can identify what you are doing, and you can then determine if it is something you should still be doing,” they commented.
This period of forced reflection allowed companies to take concrete actions:
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary costs in facilities, travel, and operations that had been accepted for years.
- Recognize which tasks could be performed remotely without sacrificing quality or safety standards.
- Build stronger customer relationships through more frequent, focused virtual check-ins.
IPAF’s Rapid Response: eLearning and Remote Training Innovation
The most consequential transformation triggered by the pandemic was in training and certification. With social distancing mandates making traditional classroom and hands-on training impossible, IPAF moved quickly to expand its digital training infrastructure. The results exceeded all expectations.
The Explosion of eLearning Adoption
IPAF CEO and Managing Director Peter Douglas reported: “We have been pushing our eLearning platform during the lockdown, and our eLearning courses, including MEWPs for Managers and MEWP Operator theory, have grown three-fold in the past six weeks. We believe that this will continue to grow during the coming weeks and months to minimize social contact.” The hybrid model that emerged separates theory from practice in a way that enhances both. Operators complete the theoretical portion online at their own pace and convenience from any location with internet access. They then visit a training center only for the hands-on practical test, reducing person-to-person contact and associated health risks.
Innovative Solutions for Practical Instruction
When hands-on practical training remained essential, IPAF members developed creative solutions to maintain social distancing. One notable innovation involved using WhatsApp video calls to conduct in-the-basket training. The trainer remained on the ground while the operator worked in the MEWP basket, with the video call providing real-time observation and instruction. This approach addressed the impossibility of maintaining six feet of distance inside a MEWP platform while still delivering effective training.
IPAF also developed comprehensive COVID-19 operating guidance for use with MEWPs, mast climbers, and hoists. The guidance covers equipment sanitization, PPE requirements, social distancing protocols for training centers, and communication plans for informing workers and customers about new safety measures. These resources remain available through IPAF’s website.
Training Outcomes: Pre-Pandemic vs. Pandemic Era
| Aspect | Pre-Pandemic Approach | Pandemic-Era Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Theory delivery | In-person classroom sessions | Online eLearning modules on demand |
| Instructor interaction | Face-to-face only | Video conferencing and virtual classrooms |
| Practical assessment | Full in-person session | Hybrid: remote theory, in-person practical only |
| Training capacity | Limited by classroom and instructor availability | Scalable through digital platforms |
| Cost per trainee | Higher due to travel, facilities, printed materials | Lower through elimination of travel and digital delivery |
| Geographic reach | Constrained by training center locations | Global access from any internet connection |
For more on the digital transformation of IPAF training, read Ipaf Digital Training Transformation Elearning Remote Instruction and which covers these innovations in greater detail.
Building a Safer Future: Lessons That Will Last Beyond COVID-19
One of the most profound realizations to emerge from the crisis is that safety is not a one-time achievement but a continuous, dynamic responsibility. OSHA requires employers to report all workplace fatalities, and approximately 5,000 deaths occur annually across all US industries from workplace hazards. Yet before the pandemic, these numbers rarely received the same urgent attention as daily COVID-19 case counts. The crisis reframed how the industry thinks about risk: if we can mobilize so urgently to prevent a novel virus, why should we accept preventable fatalities from familiar hazards?
IPAF members noted that practices once considered normal, such as shaking hands, using shared devices, and working in close proximity, are now understood as areas requiring greater vigilance. The heightened awareness around hygiene and distancing has translated into greater attention to all aspects of safe operation – from equipment sanitization to personal protective equipment compliance. The following changes are expected to remain permanent fixtures of the industry:
- Social distancing protocols at training centers and worksites, influencing how equipment is shared and crews are deployed.
- Hand sanitizing stations and enhanced surface cleaning becoming standard at rental counters and job sites.
- Video conferencing replacing the majority of face-to-face meetings, with business travel permanently reduced.
- Remote work remaining a long-term option for administrative and management roles within powered access companies.
- eLearning continuing as the preferred method for theoretical training, with practical assessments reserved for in-person sessions.
IPAF’s Vision for the Post-Pandemic Industry
Peter Douglas expressed the federation’s resolve: “We will make necessary changes to ensure the well-being of our employees, customers, and the general public. We will learn from the experience how we can work differently, both remotely and more efficiently. We will eliminate excesses that are not needed to complete tasks. We will be safer and stronger.” IPAF continues to support members through guidance documents, eLearning platforms, and advocacy with national governments and international standards organizations.
The pandemic gave the powered access industry a rare gift: a forced pause to evaluate, innovate, and improve. The companies that thrive in the post-pandemic world will be those that embrace change rather than resist it. Investing in digital training infrastructure, adopting flexible work arrangements, and committing to rigorous safety protocols are no longer optional enhancements – they are competitive necessities. For professionals seeking to understand how IPAF membership translates into measurable safety and business outcomes, How Ipaf Membership Elevates Safety and Business Performance provides a detailed analysis. Additionally, Why Ipaf Membership Matters for Powered Access Professionals explores how the federation supports career development and industry leadership in the evolving powered access landscape.
The crisis taught the industry that safety is not a static standard but a dynamic commitment that must evolve with changing circumstances. The powered access sector has proven its resilience and its capacity for rapid, meaningful innovation. The challenge now is to sustain that momentum and build a future where safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement are the norms.