IPAF Training: The Do’s and Don’ts when using access platforms
Access platforms are a safe and trusted tool for work at height – no matter what your industry. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, fitting out a shop, doing reactive maintenance work, or stretching to the tricky bits for commercial cleaning, MEWP hire is a versatile solution for your needs. However, as with any piece of machinery, you need to be trained and familiarised with the specific model before you press go. So, don’t ignore the risks and make sure that you always play it safe when planning work at height.
The Health & Safety at Work Act (HASWA) states that your employer must make sure that you’re properly trained before operating a MEWP.
With this in mind, if you’re using scissor lifts and cherry pickers you can become certified on an IPAF course within the day. Our IPAF training experts are on hand to help get you up to speed on the latest industry advice.
So, if you choose to do the 3a & 3b operator course, then here are some of the takeaways for do's and don’ts when using access platforms:
THE DO'S | THE DON'TS |
Before beginning work, make sure there's someone responsible who is trained and familiarised with the access platform and its emergency controls at the base of the MEWP.
| Don't operate, or let anyone else operate a MEWP without proper access platform training and authorisation to use the MEWP. It's yours and the employer's responsibility to ensure safety.
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Always make sure you enter and leave an access platform when it is in a fully lowered position using the designated steps and while adopting the 3-point contact technique.
| Don't ever stand on the guard rails, overreach or use ladders or towers to extend your reach from a platform. Keep your feet firmly on the deck and use a harness and lanyard on a boom.
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Make sure you do a pre-use check and familiarise yourself with the controls and emergency controls.
| Don't ever interfere with, wedge or override any of the hydraulic, electrical or mechanical safety devices on your MEWP. Tampering will damage them, invalidate insurances and could cause an accident.
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Be gentle! Move the controls smoothly to stop sudden movements. That way, you'll reduce the risk of the MEWP tipping or throwing you from the basket. MEWPs have proportional controls and will respond to what you need.
| Don't ever use the emergency controls unless you have to, or you're function testing. Overuse could potentially limit their effectiveness, damage them and cause an accident.
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Continually observe your surroundings as you use your MEWP, particularly when lowering or raising the platform. This helps to avoid hitting anything or anyone or causing injury to yourself.
| Don't attempt to get off the platform when it's height. If there's a malfunction and the basket is stuck at height, go through the steps of the MEWP rescue plan set out in the risk assessment created before you started your project.
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It’s vital you know how to operate an access platform correctly before work starts, so make sure you get the IPAF training that you need, do the do's and avoid the don’ts to keep you safe at height.
Need further training? Book onto our IPAF training courses, available 6 days a week.
