MOBILE ELEVATED WORKING PLATFORMS (MEWP)

MOBILE ELEVATED WORKING PLATFORM

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mobile elevated Working Platforms are know by many different names. Some of the more popular are powered access platforms, aerial work platforms, mobile access platforms, cherry pickers, tower wagons, hydraulic platforms and scissor lift platforms. The wide variety of names is indicative of the wide scope of their use

HAZARDS

• The falling of persons, tools or materials from the platform
• The trapping of persons in the MEWP mechanism
• Overturning due to overloading, gradients, wind loading, travelling with the platform raised over unsuitable terrain, outriggers not in use and the effects of acceleration forces
• Contact with overhead power lines

출처:www.rtitb.com

HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS

Regardless of type of number of safety features the precautions are common to all. These include.

• Firm level ground on which to operate
• Operator controls at platform level with override at ground level in emergency only
• Platform properly guarded by rails and toe boards and with safe means of access
• Stability in use must be ensured
• Levelling device on chassis to ensure verticality in use
• Allowances must be made for the effect of the wind
• Danger from overhead lines and obstructions must be avoided
• Operator training must be to an approved procedure and the manufacturer's manual
• Operators working above 2 meters may be required to wear safety harnesses
• Locking of wheels or the use of outriggers must be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Adequate sole plates should be in use under the outrigger pads where necessary
• Persons should not normally leave the platform in an elevated position, nor should materials be transported. If the appliance is used to transport persons or goods form on level to another (ie not as a working platform), it may be deemed a hoist or lift and, as such, the relevant regulations would apply
• Untrained, unauthorized use of any work platform must not be allowed. Operators must lock their machines in a safe position when they leave them
• The operator should carry out a visual check daily before use
• A competent person should carry out weekly inspection and a written record kept of such an inspection
• Any fault should be rectified immediately or the appliance taken out of service and appropriately marked
• At 6 months, after an accident, major repair or modification, a through examination will be carried out and a test certificate produced
• The safe working load must be clearly marked and adhered to

QUSTIONS

• Name three different types of MEWP?
• How frequent are checks required?
• How do you know the number of men that are allowed on the platform?

출처:POWERSTON

SAFETY REMINDER

Stability, wind, overhead cables, gradient, outriggers, harness competency and training.