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Posted By Geoff S Bottomley
Where does is say in any legislation that it is a requiment to wear a harness on a MEWP.
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Posted By James K
I had reason recently to speak to a Health & Safety inspector from the H.S.A. here in Ireland regarding this same subject.
I was informed that there is no requirement in legislaion to wear a harness while operating an MEWP.
BUT
If the operator of the MEWP has an accident/incident which results in the inspector getting called out, and based on his/her risk assessment on the activity a harness should have been worn then the operator of the machine is in the wrong.
RISK ASSESSMENT is the key phrase here.
Remember a lot of MEWP operators use the side bars as a hop-up ( which they should not do ) to reach areas that are a little too high from the floor of the machine and therefore place themselves in a situation whereby a harness is vital.
Jim
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Posted By Calum R Cameron
The HSE want FIXED LENGTH lanyards only in cherry's to act as a restraint and not as fall arrest-therefore eliminating the ability of the operative to climb on the mid rails and have not made up their minds for the use of harnesses in scissors.
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Posted By Kevin Drew
Geoff,
As far as I'm aware there is no legal requirement. However, as with all things each situation should be risk assessed on it's own merits.
I would refer you to HSE operational circular, OC 314/19, MEWPs and safety harness, which I have found very helpful. The guidance relates primarily to "cherry pickers" but is also relevant to "scissor lifts" if the operator is at risk of falling.
Hope this helps.
Kevin
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Posted By ian mcnally
Geoff,
The HSE info sheet MISC 614 is worth a read too!
Preventing falls from boom type MEWP
It covers Fall Protection Systems with MEWP. I can email you direct if you can't find it on the HSE web.
I did the IPAF course a few years back as I often found myself telling operators to wear a harness. I was pointed out, politely in most cases, that the harness was more of a hindrance. I wanted to get a better appreciation from the operator’s perspective so I went on the course.
Great course and I even managed to get a ticket (don’t think many fail). The course was good, but a bit basic and I would recommend managers check log books for experience and don’t just rely on the card as proof of competence. I did need the card to hire a MEWP about 12 months later when I stupidly volunteered to cut down a very large tree which was overhanging a dear old neighbours house and guess what……….
I did wear a full body harness with fixed lanyard (no bungee), Ok so you needed to ensure you didn't trip over the thing but it made me feel a good deal safer and had the MEWP run over an obscured log or went down a hole it did reduce risk of being thrown out. Some will argue that being attached to the carrier gives no chance of escape, but unless your over water I can’t see any other reason not to be clipped on.
Hope this of help
Ian
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