The importance of a pre-use inspection

A 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.

To carry out a pre-use inspection of a MEWP:

1. Check that the manufacturer’s operating manual is on the machine;
2. Conduct checks as required by the manufacturer's operating manual;
3. Check that any modification has been authorised;
4. Check the date of the mandatory service examination is valid;
5. Record evidence of the daily pre-use inspection.

If a fault is deemed to affect the safe use of the machine, then you must:

1. Isolate the machine;
2. Tag the equipment to also inform other operators in the area that the machine has a fault; and
3. Report the fault to your employer and the MEWP owner.

Never attempt to operate a faulty MEWP

Videos

Pre-start inspection: Boom lift

Pre-start inspection: Vertical lift

See also: www.ipaf.org/inspections, MEWP Pre-use inspection Toolbox Talk, IPAF Pre-use Inspection Check Sheet.