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805 Fall Protection in Construction
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Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)

"Mobile Elevating Work Platform" (MEWP) is a term, adopted by ANSI in 2015, to describe various aerial work platforms.

Common MEWP
Image mobile elevating work platform

MEWPs are mechanical devices used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. MEWPs are also known as aerial lift devices, elevating work platforms, or bucket trucks.

Types of Devices and Platforms

Most devices and platforms have extensible or articulating mechanisms that can position workers up, down, or sideways. The safe use and design of the types of elevating devices and platforms are covered by ANSI standards. Here are some of the various types of devices and platforms covered by the ANSI standards:

MEWP Type is determined by whether the lift can travel when stowed or elevated and the location of the controls which allow such travel.

  • Type 1 MEWPs can only travel with the platform in a stowed position
  • Type 2 MEWPs can travel elevated and is controlled from the chassis
  • Type 3 MEWPs can travel elevated and is controlled from the platform
  • Group A - vertical projection of the platform is inside the tipping lines at maximum inclination in all platform configurations
  • Group B - all other aerial lifts, typically identified as boom-type aerial lifts

The types of elevating devices and platforms covered by ANSI standards include:

  • vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating Aerial Devices (ANSI A92.2 devices);
  • manually propelled elevating aerial platforms (ANSI A92.3 devices);
  • boom-supported elevating work platforms (ANSI A92.5 devices);
  • self-propelled elevating work platforms and scissor type MEWPs (ANSI A92.6 devices);
  • airline Ground Support Vehicle-Mounted Vertical Lift Devices (ANSI/SAIA A92.7 );
  • vehicle-Mounted Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Devices (ANSI/SAIA A92.8);
  • mast-Climbing Work Platforms (ANSI/SAIA A92.9);
  • transport Platforms (ANSI/SAIA A92.10); and
  • safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) (ANSI/SAIA A92.22).

How MEWP Falls Occur

The root cause for most accidents involving MEWPs can be traced to untrained or improperly trained workers who lack the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) to safely use the equipment.

The causes of falls from MEWPs include:

  • hydraulic cylinder fails and causes the boom to drop;
  • outriggers are not used or improperly placed and the lift vehicle overturns;
  • workers are not tied off while they are in the bucket; and
  • workers fall or are pulled off the platform when the lift vehicle is struck by another vehicle or moves unexpectedly.

For more information on MEWPs, see ANSI/SAIA A92 and CSA/CA B354 Standards.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-5. What is the root cause for most Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) accidents?