Mobile Elevating Work Platform MEWP MEW01

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What is a MEWP?

Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) also known as a cherry picker, are powered access machines, used in a huge range of construction and warehousing sectors. MEWPs are available in two basic types: boom (cherry pickers) and vertical (scissor lifts). Boom lifts have two types of operation, static or mobile.

What does the training course include?

• Have a basic understanding of the industry, the dangers of working in the industry and their responsibilities as a plant operator
• Have a working knowledge of the manufacturer’s handbook for the particular machine to be used, and be familiar with the other types of information sources and relevant legislation
• Be able to locate and identify the major components of the machine and explain their functions
• Be able to locate and identify steering, driving and braking controls and explain their functions
• Conduct all pre-operational checks in accordance with manufactures and legislative requirements
• Check all emergency lowering functions
• Safely mount and dismount the machine
• Configure the machine for travel
• Configure the machine for travel and manoeuvre it safely on level / rough ground and incline in open and confined areas
• Conduct all necessary safety checks at the work area, including overhead and underground hazards
• Manoeuvre the machine to the work area and correctly configure in readiness to carry out the accessing tasks
• Carry out accessing tasks, at various points up to full operating height
• Travel with platform raised
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of loading and unloading procedures for machine transportation
• Carry out all end of shift shut down procedures

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to operate MEWP
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Mobile Elevating Work Platform
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed
• In date thorough test examination report for the machine

PPE Requirements:

• Suitable head protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable work clothes including wet weather
• Gloves
• Suitable work boots including steel toe protection
• High Viz

HSE further information:

• Avoiding danger from overhead power cables guidance GS6 https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/gs6.pdf
• PUWER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf
• LOLER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l113.htm

Theory assessment:

• 30 multiple choice questions
• 4 marks per question
• 80% pass mark required

Practical assessment criteria:

• Pre use and operational checks
• Carry out an emergency lowering function check
• Travel to work area
• Task 1 – Access at least 2 different points set at 75% of the MEWP max height, with and without signaller
• Task 2 – Access at least 2 different points set at 75% of the MEWP max horizontal reach
• Travel at least 10 metres with raised boom
• Pass mark is less than 20 penalty points and no mandatory disqualifications
• Time allowed is 1 hour

On-site training courses delivered:

Southwest – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire

Southeast – Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex

Midlands – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire

East Anglia – Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk

Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Hungerford, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Southampton, Stroud, Swindon, Taunton, Warwick, Winchester, Witney, Worcester, Yeovil