Resource Library

Beware of falling objects. Organise a drop zone clear of the MEWP base.

Rescue plan? Always plan for a safe rescue.

Pre-use inspection! Make sure the machine is operating properly, before starting work.

Know your machine. Familiarization helps prevent incorrect use.

Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) Load Chart

Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) Handover Certificate

This guidance is intended to assist companies to demonstrate the independence, impartiality and integrity of the 2nd party inspection/examination bodies that they employ.

Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Pre-Use Inspection Checklist.

Normal and auxiliary control systems built into a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) will allow the operator to bring the platform of the machine safely to ground level under controlled conditions. It is extremely unusual not to be able to lower the platform using these controls or for all of these systems to fail. The following is an example of a rescue plan for people who work at height using a MEWP.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), also known as Aerial work platforms (AWPs), are probably the safest way of doing temporary work at height. Stay safe
when near to power lines/conductors. Electrocutions were the single largest cause of fatalities to MEWP/AWP operators in the US in 2012.

A secondary guarding device is a piece of equipment which can be fitted to a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP), also known as aerial work platform (AWP), in addition to the primary guarding systems and is intended to further reduce the risk of entrapment and/or provide an alert that an entrapment situation has occurred.

Scissor lifts are not designed to hold banners. Attaching banners to a scissor lift will increase the surface area and create a "sail board” effect which will destabilize or potentially turn over a MEWP.

The purpose of this guidance is to develop a standard approach to the generation and circulation of safety alerts in the MEWP industry.

Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) Thorough/ Frequent Examination form.

All MEWPs/AWPs rely on the condition of the ground on which they stand for their stability. This applies equally to those which require the use of jacks or outriggers and those which operate free on wheels. It is essential that an assessment of ground conditions is made before travelling, using or setting up a MEWP on any surface.

Attach Your Lanyard: Always attach the lanyard in boom type machines.

The IPAF Operators’ Safety Guide for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (also known as Aerial Work Platforms) is a pocket-size publication that sets out the recommended working practices for the safe operation of MEWPs/AWPs over a wide range of applications, from initial checks, through transport and positioning on site, to carrying out the required tasks.

The Best Practice Guidance for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) was released in July 2010 by the UK-based Strategic Forum for Construction Plant Safety Group with the aim of avoiding trapping or crushing incidents when these machines are used in confined overhead spaces. IPAF has prepared a US edition of the above document, which was published in April 2011.

Raising the Standard is the IPAF bulletin. It is published twice a year and carries news of particular interest to IPAF members, such as developments in legislation and technical standards, and new member services.

Access International is the official magazine of IPAF.