Contractors Urged to Engage Early on New MEWP Site Requirements

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is advising contractors to engage with rental companies and other mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) suppliers as soon as possible when considering new site requirements for secondary guarding or other additional equipment.

The advice follows changes introduced by tier 1 contractors on sites, requiring secondary guarding to help prevent crushing or entrapment of operatives.

IPAF says it fully supports the initiative intended to improve safety. However, it says that careful planning, and early communication across the equipment supply chain is essential.

Planning Needed

Rental companies and other MEWP suppliers need time to understand proposed requirements, assess their fleet machines, determine which systems are appropriate for different machine types and applications, and source the suitable equipment. They must also be able to assess and budget for the associated procurement and implementation costs, and plan for fleet installation.

Requirements introduced at short notice can create significant practical and financial challenges, particularly where changes affect large numbers of machines. Availability of suitable equipment, manufacturer guidance, installation capacity, costs and the time required to modify individual machines must all be considered.

IPAF therefore strongly encourages contractors to consult their MEWP suppliers at the earliest possible stage when developing new equipment or site-entry requirements, and to provide a reasonable implementation period before making them mandatory.

Additionally, IPAF’s position on the site requirements remains that secondary guarding should form part of an appropriate risk-management approach and should not be considered a stand-alone control. It advocates, taking account of the MEWP, the task, the working environment and the foreseeable entrapment risks. IPAF adds:

Robust, task-specific risk assessment therefore remains the primary safeguard. Operators must continue to exercise active vigilance, particularly when manoeuvring close to structures, working beneath steelwork or slabs, elevating while slewing, or operating in congested work areas. Engineering systems cannot replace the need for trained operators working to a clear method statement under competent supervision.

Contractors and suppliers are encouraged to read IPAF’s previous statement, IPAF Statement: Secondary Guarding Mandate for Scissor Lifts, for further information.

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