What is this standard about?
This standard is about helping organizations use mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) safely. It provides guidance and recommendations on selection, hiring, positioning, maintenance and thorough examination of MEWPs. It also includes recommendations on their safe use, including on the selection and training of operators and other competent personnel.
NOTE: This British Standard does not give recommendations for delivering persons and materials to fixed landing levels. Equipment intended for this purpose, such as lifts or hoists, is dealt with by other standards including BS EN 12158-1, Builder's hoists for goods, BS EN 12159, Builder's hoists for goods and passengers and BS EN 81, Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.
This British Standard is not applicable to:
- Mast climbing work platforms
- Firefighting and fire rescue appliances
- Non-integrated working platforms on forklift trucks
- Lifting tables
- Suspended access equipment
- Building maintenance units
- Construction hoists
- Transport platforms
- Wind turbine and tower crane access lifts
- Belt and chain conveyors
- Capstan winches
- Hoists powered by direct drive internal combustion engines
Who is this standard for?
There are more than 60,000 MEWPs in operation in the UK. They are typically used in:
- Building construction and maintenance
- Telecommunications
- Tree surgery
- Highways maintenance
- Sign erection
- Film and TV programme production
This standard will be important to anyone responsible for the safe use and operation of MEWPs, including:
- Premises owners
- Employers
- Managers
- Operators
- Trainers
Why should you use this standard?
Working at height needs to be taken very seriously because falls are among the most common cause of death at work in the UK. This standard focuses on current best practice in the use of MEWPS.
What’s changed since the last update?
Since the last version was published in 2005 new technology has changed machine design, safety and working practices. Legislation has also changed, which needs to be reflected in the standard. Consequently major changes include:
- New safe use requirements taking into account the latest edition of BS EN 280
- Enhanced recommendations for the risk management process
- New sub clauses for loading and unloading MEWPs and for operating MEWPs near sources of electromagnetic radiation in telecommunications
- Added recommendations for identifying the implications of new safety features on machines, such as telematics, data logging, load sensors, material-handling devices and machine security
- New recommendations for the prevention of falls while carrying out maintenance on the machine chassis/structure, the prevention of entrapment, and the operation of secondary guarding
- Changes to reflect recent changes in legislation, e.g. the Construction Design and Manufacturing (CDM) Regulations 2015, and the replacement of HSE guidance CIS 58 with GEIS6, which references BS 8460
- References given to various guidance documents from the Strategic Forum for Construction, Plant Safety Group on ground conditions, medical fitness to operate construction plant, avoiding trapping/crushing injuries, and inspection and thorough examination
- New definitions for "primary guarding", "secondary guarding", "user" and "deck-riding"
- New informative annexes giving guidance on symbols for MEWPs, machine modifications and CE marking, and controls in addition to the platform controls
- New normative annex on self-familiarization
- New annex giving an example of a rescue plan hierarchy
