Mounting or remounting a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) onto a new or different vehicle chassis than the original chassis supplied by the manufacturer is a specialist task that requires both in-depth engineering knowledge and consideration of the MEWP and vehicle manufacturer’s technical specifications.
To comply with international and regional safety standards, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are fitted with platform and ground controls as well as emergency/auxiliary lowering systems.
Employers and users must develop a documented recovery and rescue plan that is specific to the task, the MEWP being used and the site. The plan should outline the procedures for executing emergency operations required to recover and rescue personnel either from within the platform of the MEWP involved in the incident, or from a suspended position following a fall arrest.
A Practical Approach to Inspection, Maintenance and Thorough Examination of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Jointly published for the Strategic Forum for Construction - Plant Safety Group by the CPA and IPAF.
This guidance is intended to assist companies to demonstrate the independence, impartiality and integrity of the 2nd party inspection/examination bodies that they employ.
This document outlines a major inspection scheme to validate structural integrity and functionality of critical components of a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). Such a scheme may be undertaken to determine if a machine is within safe design and use criteria beyond the manufacturer’s design life. Design life is defined as the duration determined by the manufacturer for which a structure or a structural component may be used for its intended purpose with recommended maintenance.
In consultation with manufacturers, contractors, rental companies and other interested parties, IPAF has produced this good practice guide listing some of the key points that should be taken into consideration by rental companies and their customers when managing any type of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP).
It is essential that MEWPs are secured and managed correctly to ensure that only competent and nominated personnel operate the equipment in accordance with the employer’s safe system of work. All MEWPs should be stored in a safe and secure manner when left unattended.
When working from a boom- type mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), it is strongly recommended that a lanyard short enough for the wearer to be restrained within the platform be used. The lanyard may contain an energy-absorbing device, provided it is short enough to restrain the wearer within the platform. This includes static Booms (1B) and mobile Booms (3B).
Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are specifically designed to lift people to a position where they can work at height safely within the platform. MEWPs are not designed to transfer people from one level to another, or for people to exit the platform at height.
The loading and unloading of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) is potentially a high risk activity, as findings from the IPAF accident reporting database (www.ipaf.org/accident) show. This document outlines the importance of planning and managing the delivery and collection operations.
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.
