Posted By George Wedgwood That is correct Chris and observation of 'good' companies whose employees are in working platforms that can be raised (MEWPS)or 'man cages' properly secured to a suitable forklift driven by an operator who has had specific training in the safe use of such an attachment, demonstrates that harnesses are worn by all persons in the 'basket' and the harnesses are attached to secure fixing points. These fixing points should be clearly labelled, part of an inspection regime and designed to take an asessed load - so they are not just a hastily fixed bracket! The object is, as you state, to ensure that if an employee gets carried away by his work and over-reaches or tries to step up on one of the rails to increase acess height, he remains secure and cannot fall out - or at least cannot fall to the ground. clearly fall arrest harnesses are not good for this job (can fall out before the right height is reached to prevent hitting the ground) and fixed lanyard harnesses should be used to limit movement - i.e prevent a person actually moving over the fence. Unfortunately, such a device will also prevent a person jumping clear if the platform or basket overturns and that is where the perception comes from, that makes many ignore the wearing of a harness. If the work is planned that badly or if the lifting device is unstable that means the task cannot be done safely anyway and the question of overturn should not arise if competently used in accordance with instructions (users should be at least certificated by the manufacturer or supplier before use). Insist on the use of harnesses!

Posted By AlB The above comments are correct. Good practice is to wear a harness. We will not allow any work to take place in any elevated work platform without a harness. The security of the MEWP should have been assessed before anyone thinks of getting into it, and suitable precautions taken to prevent any vehicle collisions. Insist on harnesses.

Posted By Chris Matthews Many thanks for your responses, I now feel justified in my initial assessment. As a point of interest, I did during my RA state that the area of work must be cordoned off thereby eleviating the possibility of other plant or personnel coming into contact whilst this work was conducted, and men working overhead signage was displayed also. I had not actually considered the harness/fixing as an arrest after the event, but a prevention of the event, however, if by some strange misfortune the operator did fall I believe that simply lowering the basket slowly would bring him down to safety, how do you guard against events if the entire unit tipped over? I can only assume that the likelihood of a fall outweighs significanlty (in this particular case) the possibility of the truck tipping... I may be wrong!!!!! Thanks again Chris

Posted By Brian Dunckley When using a man riding basket fixed to a forklift the controls must be in the basket not with the driver of the machine. Various HSE guidance about this subject.

Posted By Ken Taylor Presumably you are using a 'cage' designed for use with an FLT and not just a DIY job. There is no strict legal requirement to use a harness - unless your risk assessment has determined so. The pros and cons have been discussed above and it may be good practice in your circumstances.