Unsafe MEWP’s Operation

Reviewed by H&S
February 2020
For Internal Distribution Only
❖ Brief description of incident:
Around 09:45 Hrs. the boom lift was assigned to perform Kingspan installation activity. While maneuvering the boom-lift, operator didn’t
notice the uneven surface, this had posed a potential risk of boom-lift rear wheel slowly sink and stuck into the loose soil. It was notified
by consultant and contractor HSE representative and stopped the further movement of boom lift until the area was properly compacted
and levelled firmly. Upon the further investigation, the following safety lapses have been noticed such as;
1. The area was backfilled by another infrastructure contractor and no one has checked about the soil compaction prior to permit
the boom-lift operation in particular area.
2. Operator was not trained under IPAF operator training. He was having only third-party assessment to give operator license of
training and assessment.
3. General height work permit was followed instead of implementing MEWP’s permit.
4. Implementation of daily inspection for boom lift operation was not in place.
5. Flagman was not deployed to guide the boom-lift during maneuvering period.
❖ The initial investigation revealed following findings:
• Failure to identify the hazard and control measures associated to the boom-lift operation

• Maneuvering the boom-lift in uneven and loose soil surface

• Appropriate PTW procedure not being followed

• Lack of training or competency to the deployed boom-lift operator

• Failure to conduct the daily inspection

• Lack of supervision
❖ Pictorial view:

1
❖ Measures:
1. From onwards third-party assessment will no longer be allowed to give operator license or certificate of training or assessment.
With reference to the DM technical guideline for Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) E – Document Ref. DM – PH &
SD – GU67 – MEWP, implement IPAF operator trainings & Those operator has received training in the correct category of
MEWP that they will be using. (For E.g. 1a, 1b, 3a & 3b)
2. Make sure that installation of MEWP’s secondary guarding devices to reduce the risk of crushing and trapping of personnel
while operating boom-lift. There are currently two primary types of secondary guarding device;
• A frame fitted to the MEWP basket that provides a “safe zone” within the platform;
• Sensor bars/pads that stop the movement of the MEWP should the operator be pushed onto them;
3. JLG branded boom-lifts are in operation on site. For those MEWP’s: Sky-Guard sensor to be installed. It is activated by
approximately 23 kg of force. This stops all functions in use at the time and sounds an alarm. Also, in some machine, it will not
extend the tele boom further, than retract the boom.
4. Review and implement the PTW procedure specifically for MEWP’s operation instead of following general height wok permit.
Those PTW procedure must cover MEWP’s associated hazards and control measures to be assured prior to permit MEWP’s
operation.
5. Support personnel; Whenever a MEWP is in operation at least one trained support person must always be available on the
ground to act as a spotter. This person must also be capable of initiating a rescue by accessing control panel of boom-lift from
ground level.
6. Regular pre-start inspection to be carried out on daily basis prior to issue the permit for MEWP’s operation.
7. Conduct the PTW awareness program among the construction team
8. Administrative controls such as exclusion zone, hazard signage, daily TBT and deployment of standby watchmen to caution
the passers-by.

Issue Details: The information in this document is to be distributed to all relevant project personnel, & these persons must ensure that
the document is read/understood, and the information distributed to all persons under their control and supervision. Failure to meet
this requirement may result in non-compliance during audit & inspection.