1. Get the right MEWP for the job
Chris Smith
IPAF Auditor
International Powered Access Federation Ltd

2. Get The Right MEWP For The Job
Introduction
The Benefits of Powered Access
The Law
Assessing the Risk
Choosing the Right MEWP
Operator Training
Familiarisation
Regulations – HASWA, PUWER, LOLER, WAHR.

3. International Powered Access Federation
Legislation Advice
Health & Safety Advice
The Law Relating to MEWPS
Insurance
Training Programmes
IPAF Terms and Conditions for Rental Companies
Accident Procedures
Publications & General Information
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide.
Set up in 1983, IPAF is a non for profit organisation that represents the interests of manufacturers, distributors, users and rental companies

4. IPAF is around for a good reason!

5. The Benefits of Powered Access
Powered access equipment has been designed to enable people to work safely, more productively and comfortably at height
It can be used in a wide range of applications, both inside and outside buildings and structures

6. The Benefits of Powered Access
Meets commercial pressures to reduce project time scales - where speed, convenience and safety are prime concerns
Using Powered Access means personnel can work faster as the can remain at height from one section to another
Powered Access is one of the safest, most productive and economical forms of work at height to use
Automation can avoid accidents caused by human error

7. The Benefits of Powered Access
Powered Access is extremely ergonomic and avoids unnecessary strain injury
Easier to manoeuvre, removing the need for manual handling
Access to working platform extremely straightforward
Variable working heights
Lowers level of fatigue short and long-term

8. The Law The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require:
An assessment to be carried out before starting any work at height
Work must be properly planned and organised
When choosing the most suitable work equipment, you must follow the fall protection hierarchy.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require an assessment to be carried out before starting any work at height. If the assessment says that the work can be carried out in a way that avoids having someone working at height then this must be done.
Work must be properly planned and organised in advance by a competent person to make sure that the most suitable work equipment is chosen, taking into account the nature of the work.
When choosing the most suitable work equipment, you must follow the fall protection hierarchy. This states the order in which protective measures should be taken to prevent and mitigate the risks where you cannot avoid working at height.

9. Hierarchy of control measures when working at height
ALL Duty holders must:
Avoid working at height if possible
Use an existing safe place of work
Provide work equipment to prevent falls
Mitigate distance and consequences of a fall
Provide instruction and training
The Work at Height regulations set out a framework for working at height which must be followed. This is known as the hierarchy of measures, and sets out a preferred hierarchy of undertaking work at height.
It sets out that ALL Duty holders must:
Avoid working at height if possible
Use an existing safe place of work
Provide work equipment to prevent falls
Mitigate distance and consequences of a fall
Instruction and training and/or other means.
For the above, collective protective measures (such as MEWP) must be prioritised over personal protection (such as using a fall arrest harness).

10. Assessing the Risk Example Risk Assessment Available at www.ipaf.org
MEWPs are increasingly being used as temporary working platforms that provide a safe place of work at height. In relation to the fall protection hierarchy, they are considered to be work equipment that prevents a fall.
It is important for employers and others responsible for selecting, specifying and managing MEWPs on site to understand the risks associated with the use of a MEWP and take adequate precautions to eliminate or control those risks. Planning is crucial to their safe operation and the stages below are designed to help you with your planning.

11. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
Static Vertical - (1a)
Available with vertical telescopic mast
Some are indoor use only
IPAF DEFINITION - Static Vertical (1a): Static MEWP which elevates using a vertical type mast. (Training must cover the hazards faced with both options).
Some have detachable outriggers / jacks.
PAV

12. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
Static Boom – (1b)
Available as road going
vehicle
Setup on jacks, outriggers,
stabilizers
Light weight models available
Certain models can be pedestrian driven
IPAF DEFINITION - Static Boom (1b): A boom type machine with outriggers which must be deployed before elevating and as a consequence does not drive in the air.

13. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
Mobile Vertical – (3a)
Platform ascends and descends vertically over the chassis
Available with large work platform area
Available with large safe working load (SWL)
Powered by diesel/petrol/gas/ battery
Available with Deck extension/Sliding deck (SWL)
With and without guards
IPAF DEFINITION - Mobile Vertical (3a): Self Propelled ‘X’/scissor action and sigma type vertical lifting platforms.
Sigma, Guards, Alternatives to guards, Lowering actions & pothole protection.

14. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
Mobile Boom – (3b)
Various types available
Powered by petrol/diesel/ gas/battery/bi-energy
Available with large work platform area
Available with large safe working load (SWL)
Provides user with outreach
IPAF DEFINITION - Mobile Boom (3b): Self Propelled telescopic or articulated MEWP capable of rotating and providing the user with outreach which drives at height.
Telescopic and Articulated available.
Articulated easier to use in restricted spaces and gives better outreach over obstacles.

15. Accident 2. CCTV Footage 1/2
Accident Background: The operator was working on a site in Nottingham. This is CCTV footage of the accident.

16. Accident /2.
Accident Background: There was a small amount of gravel covering the manhole cover.
This was not a fatal accident – discuss the role management and site operative could have played in prevention.

17. MEWP SELECTION Have we chosen the right MEWP for the job?
Have we planned it?
Are we supervising it?
Is someone managing it? 17

18. Pre-Operation Rescue plan Ensure ground key is available
Appoint a ground rescue person
Consider how to raise the alarm
Decide who should effect the rescue and how
Rescue sequence
Operator
Ground staff
Another MEWP
Lone Working
Notes
Rescue plan: It is essential to have a rescue plan in place and communicated to those involved before operating the machine.
Ensure ground key available: The ground key for the MEWP should ideally be left in the base unit where this is practicable, or if not, at least quickly available at ground level.
Appoint a ground rescue person: While the MEWP is in use at least one designated ground rescue person should be appointed who knows the rescue procedure and who has been familiarised with the MEWP being used (including emergency rescue controls). They should always be readily available in the event of an emergency.
Consider how to raise the alarm: A system must be in place to identify that an operator may have become trapped, particularly for lone workers working close to an overhead structure. This needs very careful consideration if the operator cannot be seen from the ground. Operators must take advice if such a system has not been put in place when a risk of entrapment is present.
Decide who should effect the rescue and how: This depends on the complexity of the operation and therefore the relative risk of effecting a rescue from the ground compared to the risk of an operator, possibly in a state of panic, trying to rescue himself. It also depends on how the controls for the specific MEWP being used function if the load cell has been activated.
The order of priority should be:
Operator: the operator, or other competent people in the basket, should try to rescue themselves by re-tracing the steps they took in reverse order. DO NOT try to free a snagged machine while in the platform.
Ground staff: if visibility and understanding of situation from the ground are good, ground staff should effect a rescue using the ground controls in the following order:
Auxiliary power at first which gives the slowest and most controlled manoeuvre of the boom until it is obvious that the basket is clear of any obstructions at height.
Powered descent: once clear of obstructions, it is then recommended to switch to powered descent to maximise the speed of recovery.
Do not operate with personnel in the basket from the ground controls unless conducting an emergency lowering or stipulated in the risk assessment.
Another MEWP: In some situations the use of another MEWP to gain access to the platform may be the safest option. This will only be acceptable if such rescue has been planned and includes means of transferring between platforms which prevents anyone falling.
Lone Working:
Employers need to investigate the potential hazards faced by lone workers and assess the risks involved both to the lone worker and to any person who may be
affected by their work. Employers should ensure that measures are in place to control or avoid such risks. (Reference: HSE indg73 ISBN ).

19. Operation – Observation
CAUTION:
Overhead obstructions and other possible crushing hazards around the MEWP when driving, slewing, lifting or lowering.
Keep all body parts inside platform guardrail.
Smooth operation – lifting and driving
Notes
Overhead obstructions: Continuous all round observation is essential. (Should be: above, below, sideways, backward and forwards) especially in confined overhead areas.
Keep all body parts inside platform guardrail: Do not leave the control station until the machine comes to a complete stop at ground/desired work area. Shut the machine down to isolate the controls and prevent unintentional movement or operation.
Smooth operation – lifting and driving: Use of proportional controls - hydraulics ramp-up and down when the controls are moved out of and into the neutral position – this is minimised through smooth operation of the controls.
Driving over uneven ground may induce boom flex/ bounce causing machine over-load and leading to cut-out or a potential tip-over.

20. Operation – Observation
Take Extreme Caution:
Increased risk when driving or lifting near overhead obstructions
Maintain all round observation
Take into account hydraulic ramp-up and down
Take Extreme Caution:
Increased risk when driving or lifting near overhead obstructions:
Discuss the need for observation, need to be familiar with the machine prior to entering confined or restricted areas. Ensure risk assessment has measures in place for periods of work where the risk is increased.
Take into account hydraulic ramp-up and down:
Discuss the use of proportional controls - hydraulics ramp-up and down when the controls are moved out of and into the neutral position – this is minimised through smooth operation of the controls.
(See free reference guide: Avoiding Trapping/Crushing Injuries: Best Practice Guidance for MEWPs).

21. Operation – Smooth Operation
Function enable
Slew or lift boom first, telescope out last
Telescope back in first afterwards
Notes
Function enable:
Function enable such as pedals, trigger/switches should be engaged before operation.
Slew or lift boom first, telescope out last:
The telescoping function is smooth and reduces the likelihood of unwanted sudden movements and impacts.
Telescope back in first afterwards:
This takes you away from a building or object reducing the risk of impact and closer to the chassis to increase stability.

22. Choosing The Right MEWP

23. Get the right MEWP for the job
What work needs to be done?
Who is going to operate the MEWP?
At what stage in the job will the MEWP be needed and what will the ground conditions be like at that stage (ie rough, prepared, poured slab, finished surface etc)?
What access is there to the site?
How much base area is available at the work position?
What terrain and gradient will the MEWP have to cross to get to the work position and is visibility and segregation adequate for the manoeuvre?

24. Get the right MEWP for the job
What is the maximum ground bearing capacity at the work area and along the route to and from the work positions?
How many people need to be lifted?
What height/outreach is required?
Will the MEWP be expected to move in the elevated position?
Are there any overhead power lines on site?
Are there likely to be any overhead structures which the operator could be crushed against?

25. Get the right MEWP for the job
Are there any materials to be lifted and if so how heavy/long are they?
Are there any manual handling issues?
What interface is there with other vehicles and pedestrians and are there any unusual issues, eg aircraft or rail traffic?
What fuel type is allowed on site and where will refuelling take place?
What wind loads can be expected?
The above should be covered in the employer’s
Method statement and Risk Assessment
(example risk assessment can be found at:

26. Set Up – Ground Bearing Pressure
Ground Bearing Pressure on Wheels / Outriggers
Up to 80% of the weight of the MEWP could go on one wheel!

27. Get the right MEWP for the job
Site Surveys
Will prevent mistakes
All of the items mentioned previously should be dealt with as part of a site survey, This involves visiting the location where the task is to be carried out, preferably with site personnel or their representatives who can identify hazards associated with the area and ground on which the MEWP is required to operate, so that both the task and any hazards involved can be identified.

28. TRAINING
Operator training programme certified by TÜV as conforming to ISO 18878
More than 100,000 trained each year
Through more than 400 IPAF-approved training centres worldwide

29. TRAINING Complete training programme
Training material in different languages
Annual updates
Auditing
Ongoing instructor development

30. PAL CARD Powered Access Licence Proof of training
Internationally recognised
Valid for 5 years
Shows categories trained in
Verification service

31. Familiarisation / Self Familiarisation
IPAF F1: It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that all operators using equipment are adequately trained and familiarised.
Required when using a machine which differs significantly from the training you have received. (E.g. weight, height, width, length or complexity).
Machine-specific familiarisation should follow on from basic training and cover:
 Manufacturer's instructions and warnings
Features of the specific model
Control functions
Safety devices
Emergency lowering procedures
All of the above are to be found in the information supplied with the machine.
Notes - All of the above are to be found in the information supplied with the machine – therefore self-familiarisation is possible. (ENSURE FAMILIARISATION is conducted in a safe environment, clear of hazards).
FULL IPAF FAMILIARISATION STATEMENT (F10807): (See Log Book and free download: (for instructor reference only - need not be read out).
Those who intend to use any machine with characteristics of weight, height, width, length or complexity, which differs significantly to the training they have received, should ensure that they receive a familiarisation to cover the differences.
It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that all operators using equipment are adequately trained and familiarised to comply with current health and safety legislation.
Machine-specific familiarisation should follow on from basic training and cover:
• Manufacturer's instructions and warnings
• Features of the specific model
• Control functions
• Safety devices and
• Emergency lowering procedures

32. MEWPs for Managers Who will benefit:
All those supervisors or managers in your organisation that use or have responsibilities for the use of powered access scissor lifts, self-propelled boom lifts, trailer mounted booms lifts and aerial work platforms.

33. See what IPAF does Visit the Publications/Film section of www.ipaf.org
View and download the “Training Saves Lives” video
Don’t miss the award-winning “Spot the Mistake” video

34. Thank-You! and Be Safe!
TIME FOR QUESTIONS