The loading and unloading of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) is potentially a high risk activity, as findings from the IPAF accident reporting database (www.ipaf.org/accident) show. About a third of the accidents recorded by rental companies take place during the delivery and collection process.

This document outlines the importance of planning and managing the delivery and collection operations. It sets out responsibilities of different parties to communicate and co-operate to ensure the work is done safely. Guidance on all other aspects of MEWP management, maintenance and use can be found in the Resource Library.

This document is written for application in the UK, within the UK legislative jurisdiction, but the safety principles may be beneficial to other countries in helping to reduce accidents.