Posted By Jane Watts do you need banksman or riggers to use? or just the operator in the basket?

Posted By Jane Watts I know the users have to be trained, however, I wasn't sure whether you would require a banksman like you would for a crain. Pretty sure you wouldn't as the person in the basket can see where they're driving themselves where as the crane driver can't see where he's driving the load, if you get what I mean.

Posted By Jane Watts Hi Frank, We don't really want to use a supply company, we have our own cherry picker and are in the middle of deciding whether we keep it. In order to keep it we need to train an individual to use it. Which is where my question comes in about whether we'd need a banksman. The cradle is only operated from within the basket, so once the user is in the basket, he decideds where to go. It's not planned that the user's vision will be restrited at any time, hence my question whether it is really necessary to have someone on the ground? If we do, then what kind of training would we be looking at for that person? Thanks, Jane

Posted By Robert K Lewis Just to be totally correct the term is Signaller and not Banksman in the British Standard and HSE are now finally using the term correctly because it has a more general application. There are times when a SSoW will require a signaller, this is normally in such places where there is restricted room and the driver cannot easily judge the space or when there is an interface say with the general public or other site traffic and you are controlling their movements as well. For simple operations the driver can assume control as the signaller for any lift work. Bob

Posted By MichaelM Ah but Jane a risk basis is a legal requirement;)

Posted By Derek Holt Jane, If you decide to keep it, I suggest you use a company providing International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) approved courses. Worth a look at their web site http://www.ipaf.com. I can recommend a company I have previuosly used if required. Also noting some of the comments above; There is no direct requirement to have a 'signaller' 'banksman' or whatever the term you want to use for ordinary operations. It is usual to demarcate the area directly below the opeartional zone of the MEWP to prevent personnel from walking underneath. For dual operated MEWP's, for the controls in the basket to be used, the ground controls are locked out to prevent interference. Should the machine fail, then the hydraulic pressure can be relased under control either from the basket but more commonly from the lower controls. Note, such release does not operate whilst the machine is operating normally. If the MEWP is operating remotely then a ground person is recommended, more to offer assistance if a problem occurs.

Posted By Derek Holt Jane, As always these things depend upon your risk assessment. If the person going up in the basket is the operator and if the MEWP is dual controlled, that being that the basket can be lowered from the lower control platform. Then it is advisable to have a second person who is trained in the operation of the MEWP, mainly to be able to lower the basket in an emergency should the MEWP configuration allow. Multi boom and reach MEWP's do not have this facility. The alternative is that the operator stays at ground level and sends the person to do the work up in the basket by using the lower controls. Consideration should be given to the operators filed of view, height the basket is to go, proximity of objects at that or lower heights which the basket would have to be manouvered around. If the MEWP is not dual controlled, that being there is no facility at the lower level to lower the basket, then you need to have an emergency plan to assist the person in the basket to reach ground level. It has been known for operators to go up in a MEWP basket in cold weather, the machine has become inoperable and it has taken upto 3 hours for someone to fix the machine, whilst the person in the basket remained at height and exposed to the cold weather. Your risk assessment should therefore take all of these factors into consideration. If there is a possibility of the person in the basket being stranded for any 'considerable' length of time then a means to bring the person down safely must be considered. There are a number of options ranging from relying on emergency services (check capapbility and call out time) to emergency self descending equipment which is attached to the persons harness and to a certified anchor point in the basket. The person then climbs out of the basket and is lowered to the ground at a fixed 'controlled' speed. The latter would require additional training, purchase of such type equipment, regular inspections of such and periodic refresher training. The use of harnesses in a MEWP will depend, once again upon the MEWP type. Scissor lifts 'generally' do not require persons to wear harnesses. NOTE: That a harness must be attached to a certified anchor point. There has been much debate as to whether this should be a fall arrest anchor or just for restraint. This comes down to the reasoning for wearing a harness, some shools of thought say it is to 'restrain' the operator in the basket i.e stop him climbing out. The opposing view being that if he wants to lean/climb out he will by disconnecting his harness. The second school of thought 'to which I am a 'proponent' is that the harness is for fall arrest purposes to stop the person hitting the surface should the basket tip. Whichever line is followed you must ensure that the anchor point in the basket is certified for the job. Previously many MEWP manufactirers would not do this. Also note that the harness and more importantly the lanyard (length and type) must be suitable for the height at which the MEWP is to operate. For example a 2m lanyard with a 1.9m person in the harness will in a worst case fall situation extend to the extent that the distance from the anchor point to the feet of the person in the harness will be up to 5.9m. This then brings me onto the next point that being if the basket does tip and if the operator does fall out, you then need to have a plan as to how you will recover the person to safety. Suspension trauma and exposure are the key issues here, both of which have been researched by myself and others. The possible affects of suspension trauma has many factors from the harness type, physiology and to much more for discussion in this posting. What is generally agreed, is that in the absolute 'worst case' scenario, a person could become unconscious within 4 minutes if left hanging. Yet another considertaion for your risk assessment. Finally without painting any more doom and gloom, the peron planning the lift can be the operator, who through training should be competent in this respect.

Posted By Ian Cook Could I suggest that if you only have one person operating the cherry picker from inside the basket, you cordon (barrier) off the working area to prevent any unauthorised access?

Posted By Derek Holt Jane, If possible then operate from the ground. This is dependent on access to the work location. If straight up and down with no obstacles then no problem. Use of harness firstly depends on type of MEWP. I suggest you contact me with make/model of MEWP and I can advise further. In general if scissor lift no harness, if other, then harness required along with all other considerations previously cited.

Posted By Jane Watts Thanks Derek I will do. I apologive, i've obviously used the wrong terminology. By dual controls, I don't mean like in a learners car where they can be taken over by the instructor. I mean two sets of controls, one from the basket and a set of controls at ground level. The ground level controls being locked off when the machine is being operated from the bucket. Hope that's clearer.

Posted By Jane Watts But this contradicts Derek's comment about if possible, operate from the ground? Or am I getting confused? If it is likely that the person on the ground will have better visibility than the person in the bucket, then wouldn't it be preferential for that person to operate?

Posted By Derek Holt To clarify my position once again on the issue of upper or lower controls. If it is a straight up and down with no obstacles including good line of sight and not excessively high, i.e a basic MEWP then the machine can be operated from the ground, that way if something happens to the basket you have a trained operator at ground level who can lower the basket. If other than that, per my previous, there are a number of considerations to take into account. . Jane, as previously suggested contact the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and they will clarify for you. Firstly though you need to gather all the relevent information on the MEWP you have and the work that is to be undertaken from it. Contact me direct if you want any further assistance.

Posted By Jane Watts Ok, I think I get all views! Thanks for everyone's input on this, as usual, you've all been very helpful. Have some of your contact details and will be in touch when I know a bit more. Thanks, Jane