Posted By J Knight Hi David, The new WAHR have a hierarchy of control; MEWPS are higher in the hierarchy than harnesses, and HSE say in their Q&A Brief for the Construction Industry 'It is not necessary to implement all parts of the hierarchy, eg in the case of a fully boarded and guarded scaffold workers would not be expected to wear personal fall arrest equipment". In other words, using a control nearer the top of the hierarchy means that controls lower down shouldn't be needed. Now I know a MEWP isn't scaffold, but provided it was properly edge-protected and being used on suitable ground this would suggest to me that, no, you wouldn't need a harness in a MEWP, however, it would still depend on RA of the particular circumstances, John

Posted By Kevin Drew My understanding is that both the previous posting are partly incorrect? I refer you to HSE Operational Circular OC 314/19, Mobile Elevating Work Platforms and Safety Harness. My interpretation of this document is that for "cherry pickers" you do and for "scissor lifts" you don't although it certainly isn't cut and dried and in both cases the requirement should be judged on risk assessment. Particulalrly the nature of the ground and the risk of falling out. Hope this helps. Kevin Drew

Posted By MungoDundas Did you mention contractor? Getting them to wear harnesses is not the problem, it's getting them to clip them onto something sensible that is the trick.

Posted By Chris Wraith Further advice can be obtained from Internation Powered Access Federation at www.ipaf.org