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MEWP trap risk
1st Feb, 2006 to 1st May, 2006
The HSE has issued a warning to the construction industry about possible dangers with two items of mobile plant commonly used by construction companies – mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers. Geoff Cox, head of operations for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “There are common features to a number of fatal accidents – and it’s those we want to bring to the attention of the construction industry. If you use these types of plant, you need to know what the risks may be and how to check whether you might have a problem yourselves.”The HSE is drawing attention to two specific risks. The first is that when working from a MEWP there is a danger of the operator being trapped against an overhead or adjacent object that prevents the controls from being released. The second is that when working on sites where a telehandler needs to be reversed, or where there is poor pedestrian segregation, there is a risk, due to the driver’s limited visibility, of people being struck.
Geoff Cox continued: “It should be relatively simple to assess whether you might have a problem. Solving the problem may involve both management controls and physical measures. The management control issues relate to selecting the most appropriate equipment for the task and site, ensuring operators are properly trained and are familiar with the site and the equipment and setting and enforcing site rules.”