Corporate Events Plus

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)

Recently on a recce in Madrid I came across 2 items of access equipment supplied by the venue. What a stroke of luck to have these items ready to be used on site. No need to hire them in and they are free to use within the venue hire as long as the operator is qualified. This made me think it may be of general interest for the blog – not everyone understands when you should be using mobile elevated platforms or ladders or scaffolding. So before work starts on the task to be performed there are some additional questions to bare in mind.

If you are thinking of using a MEWP, consider the following questions:

• Height – How high is the job from the ground?
• Application – Do you have the appropriate MEWP for the job? (If you’re 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, eg steelwork, tree branches or power lines?
• Traffic – 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 have daily checks been carried out?

Images of platforms we have been using this year during builds.