Fall from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform

Introduction

Some mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPS) consist of a standard road going vehicle modified by the addition of a lifting boom and basket. They are used across a range of industrial sectors such as construction, utilities, arboriculture and services.

Companies that are contracted to carry out street lighting maintenance on behalf of councils will often make use of MEWPS. This may be a specific response to a lamp failure or as part of an ongoing inspection programme.

Accident description

Two employees of a contractor were using a MEWP (figure 1) to carry out repairs to street lighting. When the basket was 1.5 m from the ground, it suddenly tipped down (figure 2) and the occupants fell to the ground sustaining severe injuries. The investigation showed that it was likely a fastening connecting one of the rods that keeps the basket level was either not present, or had worked itself loose during MEWP operations. Furthermore, the employees should have been wearing harnesses.

Business costs and benefits

Costs

• The cost of a lifting equipment examination by a competent person is around £170. Such an examination could have identified the faults in the platform in this case and prevented the incident.
• A training course on safe MEWP use costs approximately £100 per person for a one day course - attending such courses will ensure employees are competent to use the equipment safely.
• The costs of providing a harness and fall arrest equipment is around £200 per person

Benefits

• Knowledge that equipment is safe to use at height will reassure employees, and ensure that they do not try and cut corners in the work.

Costs caused by accident

• The accident resulted in injury, lost time due to absence and disruption of the work being undertaken.
• Members of the public may witness an accident involving a MEWP, especially in street lighting maintenance - this might have a detrimental effect on a company's image.

• 
  Figure 1 - mobile access platform (MEWP).
• 
  Figure 2 - failed platform.

Reducing risk of falls from MEWPs

• Based on the risk assessment, ensure employees working at height are wearing suitable safety harnesses and are trained to use them correctly.
• Train employees to carry out simple visual inspections of the principle joints and fastenings on the MEWP before use, and immediately report any faults in line with manufacturer's guidance.
• Ensure thorough examinations are carried out within the scope of the LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) by a competent person.
• Some councils are now using fold down type street lighting - this can be inspected and maintained from ground level, thus eliminating the need to work at height.