Why must I walk the route of MEWP travel?

It is vitally important that, where a MEWP machine is to be manoeuvred, that the operator must check the whole route of the MEWP from point A to point B to ensure that the machine is the correct one for the terrain and is capable of travelling over the ground safely.

This is part of a MEWP operators responsibility and should include “walking the route”, looking out for hazards, slopes, gradients, kerbs, tight areas or turns, overhead obstructions, pinch points and overhead cabling or sources of high-voltage electricity in the vicinity.

It should be possible to safely operate the MEWP from within the platform without risk of being catapulted from the machine. If the machine is a scissor lift or tracked 1b machine, it is advised that the route will allow for “wander-leading” or walking the MEWP to be kept to a minimum were possible.

See also: Ground conditions technical guidance; Ground conditions toolbox talk; Site Assessment (for MEWP Selection), Load/Unload and MEWPs for Managers training; IPAF guidance on crushing hazards.