Hi All

I would like some assistance and views on lifting items with cherry pickers. There seems to be a contrast to guidance and common practice. Looking at the guidance it says that the cherry picker should only be used to carry the persons within it and handtools, but should not be used to carry equipment, however it seems common practice to use the cherry pickers to carry equipment. I want to focus on carrying scaffolding tubes for hand rail systems and lightweight purlins for steel framed buildings, however I know they are commonly used for carrying windows, cladding etc. I have looked at common practice and reviewed several RAMS which state using the cherry picker to carry the hand rail/scaffold tube, I would like to state that by doing so this does not overload the mewp. What are peoples experiences and views on whether this is permitted or not and if not, is it an ignored common practice that should be challenged?

Look at nation wide platforms they have sky racks for this but lifting plan must be in place also

I think you have to be very careful if you go outside the manufacturers stated two persons and tools.  These are work platforms and NOT lifting machines.  I personally have never accepted a method statement that intends such use. 

They shouldn't be used for lifting materials etc.

try here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis6.pdf

I have had a look at the HSE guidance note GEIS6  and it has a section on material handling using mewps : -

If MEWPs are to be used to install materials, it is essential to know the weight and dimensions of those materials and to properly consider any manual handling and load distribution issues. Boom-type MEWPs generally have smaller baskets and lower lift capacities than scissor-type MEWPs and their platforms can ‘bounce’ at height due to the boom structure flexing. This may make them less suitable to use for installing long or heavy materials, or bulky materials that may obstruct the control panel. Materials should never be balanced on the handrails of a MEWP. Instead, you should consider using a second boom-type MEWP, a scissor lift, a crane or a telehandler of appropriate capacity in conjunction with an appropriate material handling attachment where necessary (see Figure 3). The combination of a MEWP used for access, with other plant to handle the materials, reduces the risk of overturning and minimises the risk of injury due to manual handling. Remember, all people, tools, materials and material handling devices add to the safe working load of the machine. Never disable the platform overload system. Where the overload alarm has been activated or movement functions have cut out due to overload, remove the overload immediately if possible before attempting to recover the machine. If you plan the work properly, the need for outreach may be avoided by, for example, preparing or reinstating the ground conditions in the area directly beneath planned overhead work or by adjusting the work schedule to delay the construction of low level structures until work overhead has been completed. 

What are people views on this?

Edited by user 20 June 2017 17:48:32(UTC)  | Reason: Typo

Stevie, with regard to material handling attachments, GEIS6 is saying that if that option is used then the persons must be in another MEWP or scissor lift.

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Originally Posted by: Stevie

So what are they recommending there that the mewp is operated with no persons in the basket? i.e. from the emergency ground controls?

The diagram/image in geis6 shows no-one on the platform with the material

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