Regular servicing, maintenance and inspection can prolong the lifespan of powered access equipment. In doing so, it ensures the equipment is safe, reliable, and remains compliant with global legislation and safety standards.

If powered access equipment is used when the correct servicing, maintenance and inspection has not been carried out, machine behaviour may be unpredictable and fundamentally unsafe.

Operators may be exposed to risks such as:

• Overturn due to structural failures.
• Fire or explosion due to incompatible equipment such as batteries and chargers.
• Falls from height due to catastrophic failure or missing critical safety components.
• Crushing or entrapment to platform occupants due to control system technical failures, e.g., the failure of a lockout system on a joystick controller.
• Mechanical or technical failures, e.g., the uncontrolled descent of a platform due to braking system failures (MCWPs and CHs).
• Reduced operating lifespan, which could have a serious financial impact.
• Environmental damage caused by hazardous substances such as leaking fuel, oil or battery acid.

Equipment owners are responsible for ensuring the correct maintenance, servicing and inspections are carried out, while equipment users are responsible for conducting pre-use inspections before operating the machinery. Failing to fulfil these responsibilities may be considered serious breaches of health and safety legislation or standards and can result in serious consequences such as fatalities, serious injuries, property damage, and, in some cases, large fines or imprisonment for the responsible parties.