Ground conditions are critical for the stability of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). Unsuitable ground conditions can result in the MEWP overturning with potential loss of life.

Why is a rescue plan important? Planning is critical to a prompt rescue of someone who has become trapped and timing can make a very significant difference to the injuries sustained – in some cases, the difference between life and death.

A mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) must be inspected daily or at the start of each shift to make sure it is: safe to use and will not cause an injury to the platform occupants or other personnel.

What is a MEWP-specific safe-use plan and why do I need to use one?

This checklist assists in the selection of the correct MEWP and covers restrictions, working height, outreach, the weight of materials etc. It should be completed by a qualified person and where any doubts remain advice should be sought from the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) supplier.

IPAF PDS North America 2020 - Session 2 MEWP Supervisor Training Course

ANSI A92.22: Developing a MEWP Specific Safe Use Program & Supervisor Training. IPAF Webinar took place on January 13, 2020.

Effective assessment of ground conditions is essential to assist with safe installation, setting up and operation of construction plant.

The IPAF training categories, with abbreviations and brief explanations.

Be street smart! Manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic, create a safe working zone.

Use Spreader Pads! Always check ground loading and use the IPAF spreader pad calculator to

Working at height is a high-risk activity, take care of your people and be responsible for safety with IPAF's help. IPAF has a range of Andy Access posters, in multiple languages, to help your workforce, covering important mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and mast climbing work platform (MCWP) safety topics. All to help keep operators safe and prevent accidents.

IPAF has created a film warning people not to cut corners when using MEWPs to carry out temporary work at height, launching it at its Asia Conference & Showcase 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Presentations from the IPAF Asia Conference (17 & 18 July 2019, Intercontinental Hotel, Hangzhou, China).

Presentations from the IPAF MEWP Safety & Standards Conference (16 May 2019 at the Changsha International Construction Machinery Exhibition, China).

Exhibitions, trade fairs, and other such shows can be challenging environments in which to operate Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Special consideration is required when displaying or demonstrating at such events.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) provide a safe means for people to conduct temporary work at height. When buying a pre-owned MEWP, it must comply to the safety legislation and meet the relevant standards in the location where it will be operating before it can be used. Every MEWP must be supplied in a safe working condition, with all safety devices functional.

When working from a boom- type Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP), formally known as Aerial Work Platform (AWP), it is strongly recommended that a lanyard short enough for the wearer to be restrained within the platform be used. The lanyard may contain an energy-absorbing device, provided it is short enough to restrain the wearer within the platform. This includes Static Booms (1b) and Mobile Booms (3b).

The aim of IPAF’s Innovate event 2018 was to address key industry issues with the goal to develop potential solutions to improve the safe and effective use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as AWPs. To enable this, at the event, key industry players worked together in small groups to deliver achievable solutions which could positively impact the issue at hand. This paper provides a summary of each topic.

This strategy paper has been created following an industry-wide consultation into new eXtended Reality (XR) technologies including virtual reality (VR) and MEWP simulators. IPAF members worked with IPAF to produce a policy document on how virtual reality systems can be effectively and safely harnessed to train MEWP operators.

This symbol is designed to help operators locate the auxiliary lowering controls in the event of an emergency following a machine malfunction. 

Spreader pad leaflet, including spider-type (1b) machines, and spreader pad poster.