MEWP
The right MEWP for the right application
IPAF promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide in the widest sense – through providing technical advice and information; through influencing and interpreting legislation and standards; and through safety initiatives and training programmes. Paul Roddis - Training Manager IPAF He explains to us the criteria which should be taken to account when selecting a MEWP. Could you give us a quick overview of the risks we face when using inappropriate equipment, in terms of injuries or accidents? Falls are the most common
accidents when using platforms. Operators should always be fully trained and certified to use the equipment to prevent this from happening. But there are also too many cases where used machines have a lower working height than required, where operators dangerously reach up or lean out of the basket to reach the work area.
Remember, a 10-metre unit has a platform height of only 8 metres, not 10 metres. There is danger in overcompensating height as this can bring repercussions both in terms of site access and the extra weight of a bigger unit than that required. Ordering a platform with a 20-metre working height instead of 14 metres, for example, can almost double the weight of the unit from 6 tons to 10 tons. Can the ground conditions/flooring take the extra weight? Confirming this aspect is fundamental in choosing a platform. Another cause of falls is machine overturning. This can be caused by selecting machines with the wrong height and inappropriate for the application or working in the conditions where the job is being carried out. This might be because the work is taking place on a slope or unsuitable terrains such as grass or other soft surfaces. This type of accident can be caused by ground collapsing when an operator
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Lifting Africa - Mar/Apr 2021
