New Resources on the Safe Use of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP)

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) are vehicle-mounted machine lifts used to help workers complete tasks more efficiently in an elevated position. They are commonly used across the construction industry because of their ability to reach and maneuver around elevated areas.

MEWPs are built with safety in mind with numerous safety features and design elements. But workers must have training on how to use the machines and should follow safety procedures diligently, especially when elevated.

The first step in MEWP safety is the selection of the machine. Most home builders do not own an MEWP; rather, they are rented locally when needed.

To determine which MEWP to rent, jobsite managers need to know the height and reach requirements of a job, the weight of personnel and equipment to be lifted, and the ground conditions where the platform will be deployed (especially the strength of trenches or other excavations if the MEWP is to be near them).

Once the equipment is on site, the manufacturer’s inspection checklist should be completed daily.

When an MEWP is being operated, falls are one of the greatest hazards as workers will typically be working at heights over 8 feet. Supervisors need to be sure that all their workers are trained on how to properly use fall protection systems per OSHA guidelines:

• Aerial Lift Requirements: Workers shall wear a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) with 100% tie-off at all times while operating or working inside an aerial lift.
• Scissor Lift Requirements: Workers are not required to wear PFAS in scissor lifts; however, it is still highly recommended.

Everyone involved in the operation of an MEWP should also know the rescue plan should a worker fall or become suspended after being caught by a PFAS. Workers who are suspended need to be rescued within six minutes, so it’s essential to have both self-rescue and assisted-rescue plans in place before operating a MEWP.

Watch the video below for more specific guidance on safe MEWP operation. The video, and an accompanying handout, is also available in Spanish on the Mobile Elevated Work Platform video toolbox page.