New MEWPs safety guidance

Endorsed by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the new MEWPs safety guidance has been jointly developed by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) for the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group, which also has membership from HSE, CITB, BCSA, FASET, SAFed and NPORS, as well as significant representation from major construction companies.

The MEWPs safety guidance outlines the importance of keeping all machines in safe working condition throughout their working life to ensure continued safe and efficient operation. It identifies three key elements - Inspection, Maintenance and Thorough Examination - and details why each of these elements should be given equal emphasis to ensure optimum safety when operating MEWPs.

Kevin Minton, Director of the CPA said: ?It is essential that MEWPs are maintained in a safe condition for use and this requires Planned Inspection, Maintenance and Thorough Examination. The new guidance details how routines can be managed, and who is responsible for what, when a MEWP is on hire. It will prove to be an invaluable document for both hire companies and plant operators.?

The new MEWPs safety guidance is available for anyone to download for free from both the CPA and IPAF websites