It is that essential operators identify obstacles that might pose a crushing or trapping hazard in any direction of movement of the work platform. Always check in all directions while preparing to move the work platform, including checking all around the platform, and especially behind you.
Users must check ground conditions as part of a site assessment to identify potential hazards, ensure correct MEWP selection, develop risk-control measures, and to establish any considerations to take into account before using the machine. Operators should be sure that these checks have been done correctly prior to machine use on any task.
A MEWP must be inspected daily or at the start of each shift to make sure it is safe to use and will not cause an injury to the platform occupants or other personnel.
Accidents can occur from operating a MEWP that you are not familiar with and have not been trained to use. The controls of one MEWP might for example by moving the platform in the opposite direction than on another machine you have used, or feature very different ways to correctly set up outriggers or operate auxiliary controls.
MEWP overturn incidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Instability leading to overturn is commonly among the top four causes of lost time incidents (LTIs) annually, according to global data.
