Mobile Elevated Work Platform Risk Assessment Template
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What is a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Risk Assessment?
A Mobile Elevated Working Platform Risk Assessment is an essential document that assesses the risks and hazards associated with the job being performed using a mobile elevated working platforms like scissor lifts, boom lifts, and cherry pickers, and identifies management actions to remove or mitigate the hazard. It also contains a rescue plan in case of a fall, the operator becomes ill or wounded, or the MEWP malfunctions. Although it might seem that it overlaps with other risk assessments, it covers the unique risks associated with working at heights, MEWP instability, overloading, collision, and electrical hazards.
Having an MEWP risk assessment in the works for your risky elevated activities ensures that no hazard is overlooked and keeps all personnel safe and healthy.
Compare this MEWP Risk Assessment example to PDF and word traditional risk assessments
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Mobile Elevated Work Platform safety: Common Hazards
Getting to know the hazards in using a mobile elevated work platform in the workplace is the first step to effectively managing them since site employees, workers, and operators regularly use platforms for installations, inspections, maintenance, or even in construction. Being aware and hazard conscious ensure that all possibly known hazards are identified and controlled. Here are a few common hazards associated with the use of mobile elevated work platforms.
Fall hazards when using mobile elevated work platforms
Naturally, the use of mobile elevated work platforms introduces inevitable fall hazards due to their height. Workers could sustain bruises, blunt trauma, or broken bones depending on the height. It is important to acknowledge these risks in your task hazard analysis so that the right measures could be provided to avoid such unwanted circumstances.
Overloading, overturning, and mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP) instability
Overloading often results from neglecting safety procedures. Establishments must appoint qualified and certified individuals to prevent overloading of mobile elevated work platforms. They acknowledge the dangers of working with MEWPs and are also skilled enough to operate mobile elevated work platforms.
The mechanical failures of using mobile elevated work platforms
Mechanical failures can lead to many dangerous situations. One example of a potential mechanical failure is hydraulic failure. The hydraulic pressure could drop and cause the lift to suddenly collapse. This situation is dangerous when people are working on the mobile elevated work platforms. One of the control measures to prevent mechanical failures is to conduct a pre-inspection before performing any activities involving the MEWP.
Crushing, and collision hazards caused by platform movement
There are different mobile elevated work platform types, but all of them present a crushing hazard. This heavy mobile machinery can easily injure a personnel involved in the activity that makes use of a mobile elevated work platform.
Known hazards allow safety officers and operators to put the right control in place early, which frees up a mental bandwidth for unexpected hazards that arise while on the job. Keep in mind that known hazards are managed through proper planning (like a risk assessment) while unknown hazards are managed through adaptability and awareness.
MEWP risk assessment example
A risk assessment process helps operators, safety officers, and site managers identify the dangers, and provides a document to identify, manage, and execute the controls. This example flow demonstrates the process of developing a risk assessment using workflow methods.
Find out who is involved
Identifying employees upfront allows supervisors to manage them more effectively. It also ensures qualified individuals are chosen for demolition tasks. This method reduces handling errors and mistakes made by unskilled personnel.
Task Hazard Analysis
This MEWP risk assessment should include a task hazard analysis. This allows for full analysis of each activity phase and identification of related dangers.
Evaluation of Risk
This stage evaluates the likelihood and severity of each indicated threat using the Risk Assessment Matrix. Scores help determine which controls are suitable for each danger. The hierarchy of controls—elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE—can guide control measure selection.
Review
Like the MEWP risk assessment example, the department manager should verify the three processes before approving the risk assessment. This ensures that no risk escapes, and each control mitigates it. This approach ensures a more thorough risk assessment to safeguard your assets and staff.
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms: Safe Use and Requirements
Working with mobile elevating work platforms is inherently dangerous – platforms can be unstable, workers may fall, there could be mechanical failure and electrical hazards, . Personnel should have the right safety precautions when making use of them. Here are some that you could make use of to solidify and maintain safety in your workplace.
Inspections
It would be beneficial to do a pre-start check before every work shift to ensure that the machinery and all of its parts are in safe working condition. Employees engaged in the activity should adhere to the manufacturer's instructions and include a checklist that carefully examines all important parts.
Risk Assessments
This is a proactive method to maintain safety. It ensures that every hazard in an activity that makes use of a mobile elevated working platform is accounted for and provided with the appropriate measure to effectively eliminate or mitigate its effects. Aside from maintaining safety in the workplace, the risk assessment is also a legal responsibility that companies should comply with to avoid any non-compliance with regulations
Audits
Audits keep existing safety controls in check. Conducting audits can help identify gaps and lapses, which could lead to the integration of better controls for identified hazards. They also provide management with informed decisions. One example of what such reviews could do is allocate resources for training, equipment, or corrective actions.
Train
Training personnel is one of the best ways to maintain a safe environment. They keep personnel informed of the relevant safety measures needed for a certain activity, especially when there are changes. They could also equip them with the correct knowledge and skills to ensure they responsibly follow all appropriate procedures.
Mobile Elevated Work Platform regulations
Given the hazards involved with MEWPs, regulatory bodies have issued guidelines for their usage. They also outlined precise rules and restrictions for both the general and construction industries. Here are the regulatory provisions on MEWPs.
- 1926.453: Aerial Lifts
- 1926.1427: Operating training, Certification, and Evaluation
- 1926.452(w): Mobile Scaffolds
- 1910.67: Vehicle-Mounted Elevating & Rotating Work Platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this the best Mobile Elevated Work Platform Risk Assessment template?
Sitemate’s Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Risk Assessment template stands out as the best because it’s been tested and trusted by thousands of companies across construction, facilities management, and heavy industry. It’s built around best practices for MEWP safety—covering key hazards, control measures, and compliance requirements—so teams don’t have to start from scratch. It’s also designed to be fast, clear, and simple to use on site, whether you're a supervisor, operator, or safety officer.
Is this template compliant with OSHA standards?
Yes — this template can be built to align with OSHA requirements, and it can also be configured to meet ISO 45001 and other regional safety standards, including those in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Certified contractors across the construction and maintenance industries trust this template and many other risk assessments to stay compliant with their ongoing certifications.
Can I edit this Mobile Elevated Working Platforms for my project or company?
Yes — the template is fully editable and built with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality. Using this template and with Dashpivot's functionality, you can create thousands of varieties of your risk assessments. Add sections using different field types, including tables, formulas, sketches, photos, and more, to suit any data capture needs. Brand your templates and risk assessments with your company logo, custom headers, and more. This is all made possible with the Dashpivot's user-friendly template-builder feature.
What formats is this risk assessment available in?
This template is fully accessible across all devices — in your computer, mobile, and tablet. Accessing and filling out forms on site is easily made possible. Just take out your phone or tablet, or you can even access forms in a remote office using a desktop. Share to workmates on site or in the office, or easily export templates and forms into PDF or CSV files.
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This risk assessment was generated with Dashpivot
Lift up safety in your workplace. This risk evaluation may be easily tailored to any demolition operation. It satisfies all legal requirements and may be customized to various demolition techniques, ensuring both compliance and practicality.
- Complete, edit, and review the risk assessment for MEWPs from any device.
- Export and send assessments as perfectly formatted PDF documents with your company logo.
- Securely store and manage your report assessments for easy searching and finding.
- Directly notify managers for review and sign-off after completing the assessment.
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