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rsbailey2@hotmail.co.uk  
#1 Posted : 23 March 2018 10:26:58(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
rsbailey2@hotmail.co.uk

What are your views on lone working with a MEWP?

Steve e ashton  
#2 Posted : 23 March 2018 11:13:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve e ashton

One of the very few times I ever stopped a job outright.... If there's no-one on the ground who knows how to operate the emergency controls then its not safe.
JohnW  
#3 Posted : 23 March 2018 11:32:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
JohnW

I agree with Steve. It's a no-brainer

Here's the guidance http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis6.pdf​​​​​​​

which says 

Quote:
Emergency and rescue procedure The emergency and rescue plan should identify nominated, trained, site-based personnel who would be available to lower the work platform using the ground controls or emergency descent system, situated at the base of the machine, should the elevated operator experience difficulties. These people should be included in the familiarisation for the specific machines being used on site and should be given the opportunity to practice the emergency rescue procedure at regular intervals.

thanks 2 users thanked JohnW for this useful post.
rsbailey2@hotmail.co.uk on 23/03/2018(UTC), Steve e ashton on 27/03/2018(UTC)
Ashbo82  
#4 Posted : 23 March 2018 11:39:41(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Ashbo82

Yeh, I'd go with Steve here.

If someone decided to lone work on a MEWP, who would use the emergency decent controls if there was a problem?

Who would be at ground level keeping others clear of the area whilst work is undertaken overhead?

Just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head regarding this.

Its certainly safer and recommended imo that dual working is key to MEWP work being done correctly. 

thanks 1 user thanked Ashbo82 for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 27/03/2018(UTC)
Mersey  
#5 Posted : 23 March 2018 12:12:49(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Mersey

I agree with everything that has been said- no chance lone working on a MEWP.

How are you defining lone working though?

I've seen plenty of MEWPs in use in warehouses where people may just be out of site ? 

thanks 1 user thanked Mersey for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 27/03/2018(UTC)
Hsquared14  
#6 Posted : 23 March 2018 12:41:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Hsquared14

MEWPs are a no go for lone working, always two people one up top and one at the bottom to react to an emergency.  I've never seen them used in a warehouse as others have and as I work in a warehouse I'm, struggling to think what you would use them for in that setting. 

thanks 1 user thanked Hsquared14 for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 27/03/2018(UTC)
Charlie Brown  
#7 Posted : 23 March 2018 18:23:18(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Charlie Brown

As already said, never should a mewp be used by a lone worker. Apart from the fact that machines break down and the operator could be stuck in the air, if the operator gets trapped between the basket and an overhead object there is a chance they will die if not recovered quickly. Another point too is the person on the ground must be familiarised with the lowering procedure before anyone starts using the machine. It's a bit late to be trying to find out how to use the controls and lower the machine when someone is trapped, particularly since in most cases the manual is in a box on the platform.

thanks 1 user thanked Charlie Brown for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 27/03/2018(UTC)
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