Posted By Liyan
Hi,
I am confused about grounding strap in Mobile/elevated work platforms checklist.

I am not familiar to this kind of machine,but there is a checklist I need to go through.It said: Grounding strap is in place & operational.

Hope anybody here could give some information,many thanks for your assistance.

Regards,
Liyan

Posted By Sean Fraser
Sorry, Liyan, but ours doesn't have that so cannot help.

Just to show you haven't been ignored!

Try the follwoing weblink - they might be able to help (International Powered Access Federation):

http://www.ipaf.org/

Posted By Paul Griffiths 2671
Hi,

I am a trainer for assessing people on correct assessment and usage of MEWP's.

In my experience and also in the checksheet's I give of examples I have never included a grounding strap.

The only explantion I could offer is if it is being used in an environment where the probablility of shock is apparent ?

Hope this hepls

Paul

Posted By George Wedgwood
Use of a grounding or 'earth bonding' strap could be conceived necessary (as the previos respondee rightly alluded to) in a potentially explosive atmosphere,where a DSEAR risk assessment deemed it to be essential for dissipation of any potential charge on the machine. If the MEWP was allowed to become charged and cannot discharge through its tyres naturally (can be a slow discharge) and comes close to an eatrhed object, it could generate a static spark, potentially igniting an explosive atmosphere. It should never be used just because the MEWP may be used near power lines or live conductors! This type of work must be specifically risk assessed and is a specialist task. Should the MEWP be prone to the accumulation of static charge (the design spec should show this) then grounding could prevent an operator shock whilst dismounting the MEWP.