HSE Shattered Lives Campaign - MEWPS
Don't let a lack of training affect your safety, income or life!
Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) can provide a safe way of working at height. They:
- allow the worker to reach the task quickly and easily
- have guard rails and toe boards which prevent a person falling
- can be used in-doors or out
MEWPs include cherry pickers, scissor lifts and vehicle-mounted booms. These pages help you to:
- choose the right MEWP for the job
- identify and manage the risks involved with working from MEWPs
Things to consider
If you are thinking of using a MEWP look at the following questions.
Height
How high is the job from the ground?
Application
Do you have the appropriate MEWP for the job? (If you are not sure, check with the hirer or manufacturer.)
Conditions
What are the ground conditions like - is there a risk of the MEWP becoming unstable or overturning?
Operators
Are the people using the MEWP trained, competent and fit to do so?
Obstructions
Could the MEWP be caught on any protruding features or overhead hazards, e.g. steelwork, tree branches or power lines?
Is there passing traffic, and if so, what do you need to do to prevent collisions?
Restraint
Do you need to use either work restraint (to prevent people climbing out of the MEWP) or a fall arrest system (which will stop a person hitting the ground if they fall out)? Allowing people to climb out of the basket is not normally recommended – do you need to do this as part of the job?
Checks
Has the MEWP been examined, inspected and maintained as required by the manufacturer’s instructions and daily checks carried out?
Source: HSE Website 26 February 2008
