Mobile Elevated Work Platform

Aim

To provide the theoretical and practical knowledge to safely operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP)

Element

The course will comprise of theoretical and practical instruction on a Mobile Elevating Work Platform covering the following:

• Responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, PUWER 98, LOLER 98 and Working at Height Regulations 2005.
• Safe operator practices including planning of work and risk assessment and Safe Use of Harness.
• Daily and weekly maintenance schedules
• Identification of components and pre-use checks
• Interpretation of safety information
• Selection and use of personal safety
• Start up / shut down procedures
• Testing of safety devices, limit switches and hydraulic functions
• Factors effecting stability
• Motive and hydraulic controls
• Manoeuvring in open and confined spaces (level/inclines/rough terrain –where applicable)
• Positioning the vehicle for work
• Basic operational techniques / accessing at height
• Banksman signalling
• Working near overhead power lines
• Working near water
• Working on / travelling on the public highway (where relevant)
• Emergency lowering procedures
• Battery care and maintenance / re-charging procedures (where relevant)
• Re-fuelling procedures (where relevant)
• Parking and post-stop checks
• Requirements for thorough examinations

Knowledge

On successful completion of training on a Mobile Elevating Work Platform candidates will have a theoretical understanding on the importance of the following:

• The need to train and statuary requirements
• Types of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
• Understanding machine stability and limitations
• Causes of accidents; risks associated with mobile plant
• Planning and risk assessment
• Selection, inspection and use of fall prevention equipment – including harness.
• Interpretation of safety information
• Public highways requirements
• Major components and preventative maintenance as per manufacturer’s Handbook
• Safe operator practices including working near overhead power lines and water
• Emergency lowering procedures
• Pre-use checks, start up procedures and safety checks
• Factors affecting stability and vehicle limitations
• Inspection of batteries and re-charging procedures (where applicable)
• Re-fuelling procedures (where applicable)
• Safe parking and post-stop checks
• Banksman signalling
• Effects of differing weather conditions (wind/rain/cold/electrical storms)
• Working at night
• Requirements for thorough examinations

Skill :

On successful completion of training on a Mobile Elevating Work Platform the candidate will have demonstrated to a basic operational standard all of the following:

• Plan the work and conduct risk assessment
• Carry out pre-use safety checks and start up procedures
• Conduct a functions test
• Manoeuvre, position and operate the vehicle correctly within the manufacturer’s recommendations and to the operator’s safety code
• Operate in both open and confined spaces and on level, rough terrain and inclines (where applicable)
• Operate safely to banksman instructions
• Operator safely on the public highway (may be simulated)
• Correctly stow away work equipment
• Re-charge or re-fuel the power unit as applicable
• Correctly park, shut down and secure the vehicle
• Carry out a post-stop inspection