What is everyone's opinion on this?.. Our operatives frequently use boomlifts and MEWPS for access to the top of plant. They are always secured to the bucket / cage.. they attach (using twin tail lanyard) to the plant.. then disconnect from bucket / cage. They're trained, experienced at heights, equipped and vigilant. The reason we do this incidentally and not use ladders is for various reasons. Ground conditions, height , locality of live high voltage, (rather go waving ladders around!) Some clients are happy with this, some are not. Opinions? Please?

I suspect you're right on this one. However I'm then stuck then implementing a work method I'M not happy with! (ladders in a hazardous area) Who's responsibility is it ultimately? My staff, my responsibility! sigh....

Ultimately if's the PC's decision, and if you are not happy with their decision try to work with them or walk away. In any case, to discuss the practice you describe; I'd be a little nervous with this, but it would depend on the set up and location of the bucket / cage in relation to the plant that you wish to alight to (i.e. more info needed!). HSE guidance states that user should not exit a MEWP at height, you're risk assessment will need to go into detail as to why you feel it is safe. If using a boom lift is this located "on top" of the landing area or to the side of it? I.e. what are the consequences of a fall? Using a scissor lift I'd guess you'd only be able to get to the side. We allow contractors to exit boom lifts at height when accessing our roofs (only way of actually getting onto the roof bar us installed cat ladders), but under strict conditions. The basket has to be located at least 2m inside the roof edge and next to the roof man-safe system, and as you describe a double lanyard is needed and operatives to always be attached. We only permit boom lifts, as a MEWP clearly cannot get the operative 2m inside the edge of the roof. This lowers the risk, as the consequences for stumbling / fallign whilst exiting the boom basket are marginal, the operative would fall to the roof which is essentially the same level as the base of the boom basket. Clearly the risk is greater if you use a MEWP and it's located to the side of the landing area, a fall to the side could result in a fall to the ground below. Consider: - Is this an acceptable risk - Is a fall restraint lanyard appropriate (if a fall occurred a fall restraint lanyard could cause serious damage to the user, this risk is not present with the method I mention above). Sorry for waffling.

From a WaH perspective (I'm not an expert on transformer stations etc.) your method seems reasonable. Agreed, and in mine (and your clarified) example this would be correct. The risk arises if you are transfer "sideways" from a MEWP basket / cage that is not on top of the landing area. Whilst transferring (and depending on the location of the anchorage point) the lanyard hasn't actually prevented you from accessing an area where you could fall, hence why we would not allow such a practice (a fall arrest lanyard should not be used within a MEWP due to the risk of toppling the machine etc.).