This document provides an overview of powered access equipment and best practices for their safe use. It discusses the benefits of powered access equipment for working at heights, relevant legislation and safety advice. It also covers choosing the appropriate equipment for the job, operator training requirements, familiarization with specific models, and accident procedures. The document emphasizes assessing risks, having the right equipment for the task, and ensuring operators are properly trained.

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2014.11.20

2. Get the right MEWP for the job
Jason Woods
IPAF Middle East Representative
IPAF Middle East Auditor
International Powered Access Federation Ltd
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3. Outline:
• Legislation advice
• Health & Safety advice
• Best Practice Relating to MEWPS
• Insurance
• Training Programmes
• IPAF Terms and Conditions for Rental companies
• Accident Procedures
• Publications & General Information
International Powered Access Federation

4. IPAF is around
for a good
reason!

5. Get The Right MEWP For The Job
Introduction
The Benefits of Powered Access
The Law
Accessing the Risk
Choosing the right MEWP
Operator Training
Familiarisation

6. 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.

7. 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

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

9. Best Practice
Working at Height
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.

10. 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
Instruction and training and/or other means.

11. Accessing the Risk
Example Risk Assessment
Available at www.ipaf.org

12. Choosing The Right MEWP
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13. © IPAF 2006
MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
Static Vertical - (1a)
Available with vertical
telescopic mast
Some are indoor use only

14. © IPAF 2006
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

15. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
© IPAF
2006
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

16. MOBILE ELEVATING WORK PLATFORM (MEWP) CATEGORIES
© IPAF
2006
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

17. Accident 2. CCTV Footage 1/2
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18. Accident 2 2/2.
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19. © IPAF 2006
MEWP SELECTION

20. 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
Pre-Operation
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21. 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
Operation – Observation
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22. Take Extreme Caution:
Increased risk when
driving or lifting near
overhead obstructions
Maintain all round
observation
Take into account
hydraulic ramp-up and
down
Operation – Observation
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23. 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?
Get the right MEWP for the job

24. 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?
Get the right MEWP for the job

25. 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?
Get the right MEWP for the job

26. Ground Bearing
Pressure on
Wheels / Outriggers
Set Up – Ground Bearing Pressure
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27. Site Surveys
Will prevent mistakes
Get the right MEWP for the job

28. Work to be carried out
Access to work area
Terrain
Work ground area – max ground pressure
Number of people/load to be lifted
Height/outreach required
Fuel type
Duration
Operator trained on machine category - PROOF
Get the right MEWP for the job
The above should be covered in the employer’s
Method statement and Risk Assessment
(example risk assessment can be found at: www.ipaf.org)

29. Ground conditions – hard / firm / soft / slope / uneven
surface
Subterranean hazards
Slab loading limits – soffits / car parks / footpaths /
basements / tanks / inspection covers / drains /
manholes
Overhead hazards – marking
Wind speed / problems between buildings
Vehicle / pedestrian routes - barrier systems
OPERATOR ON-SITE
CONSIDERATIONS

30. 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
TRAINING

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

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

33. 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.
Familiarisation / Self Familiarisation
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34. 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.

35. 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
See what IPAF does

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