IPAF Offers New Technical Guidance

Tony Groat considers some of the latest resources IPAF is offering to assist industry stakeholders.

Mewp Safe Use Program Guide Promo
IPAF

IPAF’s mission to promote the safe and effective use of powered access requires the investment in resources to support employers and operators of the equipment to meet their responsibilities defined in relevant country standards. This starts with raising awareness of their responsibilities and assistance in meeting them. Here are some of the latest resources IPAF is offering to assist industry stakeholders.

IPAF has developed worldwide recognized training programs, an annual Global Powered Access Rental Market Report, educational webinars, Andy Access Safety Posters, accompanying Toolbox Talk guidance, annual Global Safety Reports, awareness white papers, safety campaigns including Don’t Fall For It! and other specific safety and technical guidance, all backed up with useful materials including leaflets, stickers, key tags and machine decals.

A critical MEWP user responsibility is the development of a MEWP-specific safe-use program or safe system of work. This safe-use planning must incorporate all of the requirements for users and their workers as defined within the MEWP safe-use and training standards. That is a lot of information to be aware of, understand and incorporate into a usable plan for management and workers.

The IPAF North America regional Council created a technical guidance for MEWP user on Developing a MEWP Safe-Use Program (ipaf.org/en-us/resource-library/developing-mewp-safe-use-program-guide). This guide provides an overview, action steps with references and tools for each required topic to consider and include in your safe-use plan.

IPAF has developed many technical guidance documents and resources over the years, with issues prioritized by the output of our accident reporting data. In 2022, we recognized that an increasing number of MEWPs are being used in areas where members of the public might be present, which is more challenging to control—operations are not always segregated from unrelated work activities, vehicular traffic and the general public.

This guidance highlights the relevant hazards and associated risks and identifies measures that can be implemented to eliminate or reduce the risk of an incident or injury when using a MEWP in locations where public and/or vehicles are not prohibited.

Visit the IPAF website to discover the many technical guidance docs and tools to assist you to complete your powered access operations safely. Click www.ipaf.org/en-us/resources to find the full range of free-to-download resources and technical guidance documents.

Preview of MEWP Safe-Use Program Guide

Federal regulations require employers to “furnish to each of their employees’ a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” Industry standards offer recognized practices that assist employers in meeting their obligation to provide a safe workplace when using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

The ANSI A92.22 MEWP Safe-Use standard specifies requirements for the application, inspection, training, maintenance, repair and safe operation of MEWPs. A safeuse program specific to MEWPs shall be developed by the user to ensure all responsibilities are met. The pictorial identifies the topics that must be included, which should be consider all MEWP safe-use responsibilities defined in the standard.

IPAF has developed this guide to assist in your development of your MEWP-specific safe-use plan. For each topic to be included in the plan, it offers a brief overview, suggested actions steps and resources to aid in your plan development.

The scope and depth of your plan should be based on your MEWP operations. An operation that occurs once a year—changing lightbulbs, hanging festive decorations—may only need a concise, targeted plan, while others need more complex plans. The key is to plan and have the tools to ensure a safe workplace.

MEWP Specific Safe Use Plan Checklist

  • Risk assessment
  • Equipment selection
  • Rescue plan
  • Site access, preparation and maintenance
  • Trained personnel maintenance,
  • Inspections and repairs
  • Operator familiarization documentation
  • Trained supervisors to evaluate operators proficiency (retraining)
  • Site specific requirements
  • Unauthorized use
  • Safety of others

If you don’t have a safe-use program or if your program has not addressed all of these topics, download the guide today. Visit the IPAF website to discover the many technical guidance docs and tools to assist you to complete your powered access operations safely. Click ipaf.org/en-us/resources to find the full range of free-to-download resources and technical guidance documents.

 

 

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