The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is a member organization in the field of powered access. This means that the organization is a part of or associated with the industry of elevating work platforms, which is the general term, or aerial work platforms (AWPs), as they are commonly referred to in North America. The organization does not operate for a profit. The phrase “powered access” is included in the name of the federation to indicate that it specializes in personal lifting devices that are propelled by hydraulics and motors. This is in contrast to ladders, which do not have any form of propulsion, as well as lifting devices that are used for moving things, such as forklifts and cranes.