MEWP Emergency Lowering Types
Ever thought “what do I do if I’m stuck up in the air”? Or could I bring someone down if they were stuck in the air?
It may be too late to find out when the emergency controls are needed – make sure you know how operate them beforehand!
Click link to view EmergencyLoweringProcedures.pdf
A Toolbox Talk on the use of personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) to reduce the risk of falling from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP).
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A Toolbox Talk how to reduce the risk of a (MEWP) incident due to poor ground conditions
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A Toolbox Talk on understanding a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) rescue plan.
Click on the link below.
The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has confirmed it has updated one of its most widely used global safety stickers for use on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) – launching a redesign of the sticker that is applied to machines to indicate where the auxiliary ground controls are located in case of emergency.
Andrew Delahunt, IPAF’s Technical & Safety Director, says: “The new design has been developed in consultation with IPAF members and safety experts to provide an easy-to-comprehend and clearly visible reminder to managers or supervisors of MEWP operations of where the lowering controls are in case of the operator in the platform becoming incapacitated.
“The sticker has been subtly improved and continues to be aligned to international safety standards; we urge manufacturers, dealers, distributors, rental companies and owners of MEWP equipment to update the machines in their fleets with this updated sticker at their earliest convenience.
“The sticker was initially developed by IPAF after our CEO Tim Whiteman observed an experienced supervisor had difficulty in finding the emergency lowering controls while carrying out a pre-use inspection. Despite the fact this particular operative had carried out thousands of inspections before, a temporary ‘blind spot’ meant he was forced to consult the owners’ manual in order to find the controls.
“Obviously, any such delay in a situation where a MEWP operator has become incapacitated – for instance in an entrapment incident – is extremely undesirable, so having clearly signed emergency controls labelled so a supervisor or colleague on the ground knows what to do and can step in quickly if the operator is in distress is vital.
“Over the years, IPAF’s emergency lowering controls stickers have become widespread in our industry, and have no doubt been a useful aid in numerous situations where temporary work at height has gone wrong and posed a risk to operator safety.
“IPAF always advises that a clear rescue plan is also in place when using MEWPs, and these will typically involve someone on the ground knowing what to do in case of emergency, and being properly familiarised as to where these auxiliary controls are located.
“Planning ahead for safety is IPAF’s key campaign for 2018-19, and this is certainly one eventuality that should be considered as there is no excuse for an operator to be stranded in a MEWP platform with no-one on the ground that has been shown how to lower the MEWP safely in case of emergency.”
EWPA Guidance Document
Following the recent incidents involving a scissor lift ,
The EWPA has issued a “Walking with Scissor Lifts” guidance document.
Click link to view Walking_Scissor_Lifts_Mar2016.pdf
Tyre Degradation on Mobile Elevating Work Platforms
Tyre damage on mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) is a common occurrence. Identifying what is still
serviceable can sometimes be a difficult decision. Tyres on MEWPs are either solid, polyurethane foam filled or
pneumatic which are found on road going vehicles (truck mounted and trailer lifts). All these tyres should be
approved by the MEWP manufacturer for applications in which those products are intended to be used. This
guidance highlights reasonable benchmarks for tyres on MEWPs.
Click link to view TyreDegradationMEWPS.pdf
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPS) The Effect of Wind and Side Forces
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) can be subject to side forces. The predominant side forces are those arising from wind and manual forces (e.g. pushing or pulling). This guidance note outlines the factors that should be considered to reduce the effects of these factors to limits specified by the manufacturer.
Click Link to view MEWPsWindSideForces.pdf
SafeWork South Australia notice 27.05.2017 Elevating Work Platforms- minimum standard of training Q & A
1. Why was the minimum standard of training developed?
The elevating work platform minimum standard of training was developed as a result of a recommendation by the Elevating Work Platform Working Group (a sub-committee of the Industrial Relations Consultative Council), which has representatives from the South Australian Government, unions, the building industry, training organisations and the EWP Association.
The Elevating Work Platform Working Group was established in April 2016 following two deaths involving scissor lifts at the construction site of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The minimum standard of training was developed to clearly specify the expectations of SafeWork SA, South Australia’s work health and safety regulator, regarding the provision of elevating work platform (EWP) training by persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) pursuant to section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (the WHS Act).
2. Is the minimum standard of training regulated, or is it guidance?
The minimum standard of training sets out what SafeWork SA would expect an operator ought to know about the operation of an EWP. By asking questions based on the requirements set out in the minimum standard of training, SafeWork SA’s work health and safety (WHS) inspectors will measure whether the worker has been adequately trained to operate an EWP. If a WHS inspector forms a reasonable belief that the worker has not been adequately trained to operate an EWP, the inspector may issue a compliance notice for additional training to occur.
Read more click link to view EWPminimumstandardoftraining.pdf
Contractors, end-users and rental companies are urged to download free poster artwork for use in their daily operations, as part of IPAF’s Andy Access campaign promoting the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
Simple posters featuring the characters Andy Access and Hugh Hazard form the basis of this campaign. New posters will be released every few months. Each poster illustrates a specific safety message on how to use MEWPs correctly.
The Andy Access posters have originated as a means of communicating the valuable learning outcomes identified from the IPAF accident reporting project, and as a means of reinforcing the key messages covered in IPAF’s training programmes.
Click to veiw or download posters above.
For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or directly visit the International Powered Access Federation website www.ipaf.org
IPAF Pre-start Inspection Videos
For all operators it is mandatory to conduct a pre-start inspection on the plant they are about to use. It goes without saying that this must be completed in order to determine that the MEWP is safe to use.
IPAF have produced pre-start inspection training videos to ensure operators understand the process & their responsibilities. We encourage all duty holders & operators to view the videos.
Please click on the links below to view.
At EWP Training Solutions we are committed to the ultimate training experience for our trainees and their employers.
The EWPA offers two options to their Accredited Trainers when processing “Trained Operator Applications” at the completion of the Yellow Card course.
From the inception of the Yellow Card and still to this day, hand written applications can be posted to the EWPA. While this system has served us well in the past there can be two issues under this process.
1. The trainee is issued a paper copy of the application which can unfortunately be misplaced
The Accredited Trainer then emails the trainee’s photo to the EWPA. Eventually when the application and the photo arrive the Yellow Card is processed.
2. Applications can be processed electronically. Once the Accredited Trainer processes the applications at the end of the day the trainees receive an Interim Certificate to their emails address direct from the EWPA automatically.
EWP Training Solutions prefer option 2, the electronic processing option.
As a unique service to our valued customers EWPTS will also provide PDF copies of the Trainee Interim Certificate to the employer for their records giving them the ability to forward evidence of training to their clients.
Note: The numbers can be verified by clicking on the link http://yellowcard.ewpa.com.au/yellowcard/verify and entering the operator YC number.
Pre-use inspection could prevent a serious or fatal injury
From information gathered from incidents & observations of trained operators working with EWP's on site it is quite obvious that pre-inspections are often overlooked or totally ignored by those using & operating EWPs.
The importance of carrying out a Pre-inspection on all work equipment cannot be over emphasised.
The manufacturers of EWPs list the Pre-inspections in the operators manual, which is supplied with the machine.
Operators who have undertaken recognised training courses have been trained to carry out Pre-inspections of their machines before each use which not only fulfils a legal requirement but is also a simple and effective safety measure that could prevent an accident.
Checks should be carried out by the trained operator prior to operating the machine. Refering to the operator's manual for the list of pre-inspection & function test of ground & platform controls.
Checks should be recorded in the Logbook, signed, dated before any work starts.
Any faults found should be reported to the owner of the equipment so that they can arrange for the necessary repairs to be carried out.
Pre-inspection's could prevent a serious or fatal injury happening in your workplace.
Please ensure your operators are conducting a proper pre-inspection of the EWP as they have been trained to do.
Welcome back from your well deserved break, we hope you have a very safe and prosperous 2017
To kick off 2017 we’d like to discuss your company’s training and licensing needs.
Please give either Alan 0400 845 667 or Aaron 0417 683 566 a call to find out more about our Corporate and Group offers. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We would like to wish you & your family all the best over the Christmas & New Year's festive season.
Both Alan & Aaron would like to thank you for the ongoing business you have shared with us throughout 2016 and look forward to working with you all in 2017.
As always, we pride ourselves on customer service, and as such, we will remain available throughout the fesitve period.
Our course schedule for the xmas period up till the end of January can be viewed via http://www.ewptrainingsolutions.com.au/course-schedule
If you do require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or our website www.ewptrainingsolutions.com.au
Best Wishes
EWP Training Solutions
