I have just completed one of the most hazardous tasks I have ever had to do. I catalogued over 30 MEWPs on our site and to confirm the certification I needed to check the serial numbers in the field. Many different types of MEWP on site and therefore the small metal plates that they print the serial number on were located in different parts of the machine. For the most part, accessing these small metal plates necessitated my putting my hand somewhere dangerous and sometimes placing my head there too in order to read the numbers. My gripe here is whether or not it's possible for the manufacturers to put these plates somewhere that they can be easily read/checked. anyone else experience this. Before you all jump on your keypads I made sure that the units were switched off before risking my limbs. Also the MEWPs used are hired in so they come and go all the time. We do operate a "sticker" system but this can (and does) get abused, the only guarantee is to check the small metal plate hidden under all the dust!

Chris B has hit the nail on the head also get the hire company to ID the various numbers you need on their involves/handover docs so as they do the work and not you - you can use these documents as your records

This interests me as I carry out inspections on sites where MEWPS are in use, and as you say are hired in by different sub contractors. I work for the client/CDM Coordinator and, on their behalf I try to ensure everything is as it should be but do not go as far as you do to check the plates on every machine. I am unable to do that as, if I did the same with everything I would be duplicating all the checks carried out over a period of two weeks prior to my inspection. There is not the time for me to carry out such comprehensive checking of documents on sites. I have to have an element of trust that the site foreman has done what is required and ask to see his paperwork. That is sometimes the actual sheets sent by the hire company, or other times photocopies of the documents he has received. If records are not available I require the PC to demand the correct documents from the hire company, this is occasionally sent by email to the site foreman's mobile phone. I find recently that MEWPS are arriving on site with a laminated test/inspection sheet and this satisfies me. The hire company have a duty to send test/inspection records with the equipment so why not trust then to send the correct paperwork with the machine? The sub contractor also has a duty to send such information on returning the machine to the hire company or on to anther site. One approach you could try, if you are to be so pedantic, and I use that term in a non derogatory manner, is to demand the sub contractor that hires the equipment to do the search for the plate himself prior to approving use of the machine at your site. If that means six or so different contractors doing the check it will save you the time and trouble.

if it a construction site and U work for the PC or even the client then 1 way to undertake the work is to get the subbies to confirm to you that they have this area covered - confirm via word of mouth backed up with docs and thereafter you undertake occasional reality checks - as; in my personal opinion; there comes a time when it becomes <RP to do certain things. Also get the areas you are concerned about covered in the T&C's Pedantic: Its only when a person is in the doc that the definitation is qualified as lawyers like perdantic people if they are on the same side

Chris, the above quote will not have the effect of making me calm... finishing early on a Friday on the other hand does it every time.