Lifting your game - focus on mobile elevating work platforms

While mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are versatile pieces of equipment, safe design, maintenance and operation are all essential to reduce the risk of incidents that could result in serious injuries or fatalities. This article reminds industry of their legal obligations and the Department’s expectations regarding safe use of these machines.

Can a multi-purpose machine be a MEWP?

Yes, any telescopic handler machine (THM), integrated tool carrier (ITC) or other multi-purpose plant that can be configured for use with a variety of attachments including jibs for lifting suspended loads, forks, or a bucket is a MEWP when configured with a work platform attachment for lifting personnel.

What is the issue?

DMIRS have identified the following common contributory factors relating to incidents involving MEWPs:

•• lack of operator competency

•• incorrect or inadvertent operation of equipment

•• poor task risk assessment

•• inadequate maintenance

Operator competency requirements

People who operate boom-type MEWPs with a boom length greater than 11 metres must have the appropriate class of high risk work licence (HRWL) issued under the national competency standard (WP Class).

This is a mandatory requirement under Schedule 6.3 – High risk work of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 and regulation 6.37 (1A) (a) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.

For other types and sizes of MEWP (e.g. scissor lifts, boom type less than 11 metres), the operator does not require a HRWL to operate. However, employers still have a duty to ensure operators are competent (trained and assessed).

Anyone in the basket of a boom-type MEWP is normally required to wear a fall arrest or fall restraint device. Additional working at height training and assessment is required on the correct use of such personal protective equipment (PPE).

Controlling the risks

Employers have legal obligations to identify, assess and reduce hazards. These assessments may identify that, where the hazard cannot be eliminated, additional protection and provisions may be required to protect people. Use the hierarchy of control to determine the most effective approach to controlling the risks.

For repetitive tasks performed from a MEWP, you may wish to install a fixed access platform to substitute for the use of a MEWP.

Other engineering or segregation controls could include installation of:

•• dedicated overhead protection or secondary guarding for the MEWP operator

•• barricading for the operating area to prevent access by pedestrians or those not involved in the task

•• dedicated control panel protection to protect from inadvertent operation (physical, pressure sensing or proximity sensing)

•• attachments for securing or supporting items that are frequently lifted or moved.

If the risk remains after considering higher order controls, reduce exposure to hazards through administrative means such as:

•• higher levels of supervision

•• use of a safety observer (spotter).

Complying with the standards Complying with the standards

As a minimum method of risk reduction and to meet regulatory requirements MEWPs should fully comply with the relevant Australian standards.

Compliance with AS/NZS 1418 Cranes, hoists and winches is required under the regulations. In addition to the general requirements for design of cranes, hoists and winches (including MEWPs), AS/NZS 1418 Part 10 specifically covers the design of MEWPs and Part 19 covers telescopic handlers.

Are MEWPs considered classified plant?

Dedicated MEWPs and multi-purpose plant configured as MEWPs that can lift people, have a platform movement of more than 2.4 metres, or are a boom-type MEWP, are classified plant and require registration.

For multi-purpose plant, it is not just the work platform that requires registration – the complete assembled machine (when configured as a MEWP) must comply with AS/NZS 1418.10 and be registered as a complete functional unit.

There is a general exemption from the provisions of regulation 6.34(1) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 accepting registration of certain classified plant by some other Commonwealth, State or Territory authorities in lieu of registration under the regulations. However, this does not alter the requirement for full compliance with AS/NZS 1418.10. An exemption to full compliance may be sought on a case-by-case basis.

Hierarchy of control

Further information

More information is available on the Department’s website at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au