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805 Fall Protection in Construction
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805 Fall Protection in Construction

MEWP Fall Protection

If you work from a MEWP, you must be protected from falling.

Two men covering a board with risky unsafe support
How could these men reduce their risk of a deadly fall?

The type of fall protection you need depends on the type of MEWP you use. Most platforms must have a guardrail and each worker may be required to use a personal fall-arrest system. Other considerations include the following:

  • When operating boom lifts or aerial bucket trucks a full body harness and shock absorbing lanyard should be used.
  • For scissor-lifts and other vertical lift equipment, a body-belt with a non-shock absorbing lanyard is acceptable.
  • A rescue plan should be developed in case the MEWP does not operate properly or a worker may fall requiring rescue.

MEWP Safe Practices

The workers in the image above might be seconds away from a serious or fatal accident because they are not using equipment as designed, not using required fall protection, nor following safe work practices. Would a boom-supported elevating work platform be more appropriate for this job?

Keep in mind the following when you use a MEWP:

  • Use the MEWP only for its intended purpose and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Keep the operating manual with the MEWP.
  • Keep the MEWP level and stable; use outriggers and intermediate stabilizers.
  • Never move the MEWP when the boom is up and workers are on the platform.
  • Stand on the platform floor. Don't sit or climb on the edge of the basket, guardrail, or midrail.
  • Be sure to close the access gate while you're working from the platform.
  • Inspect the MEWP before using it to make sure that it's working properly and is in good condition.
  • Know the MEWP's rated load capacity and don't exceed it.
  • Stay at least 10 feet away from electrical power lines.
  • Never use the MEWP during severe weather.
  • Use warning signs or barricades to keep others out of the work area.
  • Never tie off to equipment or to a structure next to the platform.

For more information on the safe use of MEWPs, see ANSI/SAIA A92.22, Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MWEPs).

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-6. On which type of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) is a body-belt with a non-shock absorbing lanyard acceptable fall protection?

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