I've been asked to write a SSoW for cherry picker but as I have no idea how to operate one I actually can't do it, however I'm wondering of we actually need one?

Our risk assessment states that all CP drivers are authorised and IPAF trained and only they can operate the CP so surly the IPAF training is our safe system of work???

I'm also trying to get away from having paperwork for paperwork sake.

Thoughts?????

There are other considerations like cordoning off the area to make sure no one walks underneath or too close to the cherry picker if it is likely to move in a circular motion.  Making sure the ground that it is standing on is suitable and sufficient because, of course, cherry pickers will be counterbalanced and you will need outriggers, competence and certification of drivers/operators/banksmen, etc

Yes, these should all be considerations on the Permit, but if you have a SSOW and you are doing this a lot, then the permit can simply refer to the SSOW making your life a lot less complex.

In that case I suggest your SSoW is the trained and competent MEWP operator.

The Safe System of Work is not simply a method statement telling you how to operate a piece of kit. It how YOU as an employer carry out a task in such a way  as to ensure the Health and Safety etc of everybody who might be affected by it. As far as operating it goes, “following manufacturers’ instructions” is usually good enough but that is you to decide.

• Who operates it- they need to be competent, you have to decide what that means
• As Hilary says you need to create rules about how you use it and where eg do you have power lines on your site,  is there risk from high winds(what are high winds in your case)  How do you ensure that people in the area are safe? How far do you need to segregate it from other people
• What do you do if there is an emergency? Is there a built-in mechanism to lower the platform automatically or do you have to do something else?
• What is the maintenance regime, taking into account LOLER requirements  but all of the other stuff as well

Yes you need a SSOW and sorry to say it needs to be documented. What causes frustration in H&S is when there is unnecessary documentation (eg copying out chunks of legislation and standards when you can just reference these and duplication of effort; you already have a manual so you don’t need to reinvent the wheel etc

I definitely think there is some confusion here. If I was writing a SSoW for a cherry picker I would include all the periphials i.e. ovehead power lines, ground conditions, barriers, traine and competent operator, etc. However the original post asked about the operation of the MEWP, apart from a lift plan to adhere to which is probably generic the operation of the MEWP is down to the operator.

This sounds like trying to write a system of work for driving a car without the car actually going on the road or moving in any direction.

Who has asked for this (i.e. do they know what they are talking about or just stringing together phrases they have heard)?

What is the documents intended purpose (training, insurance, pre-qualification questionnaire..)?

Just off to the stores... the boss has asked for a tin of Tartan paint, a long stand, a bag of sparks for the grinder and a foolserrand.

"Do you need a SSOW for the use of a cherry picker?",  the answer is yes. There you go, that's my good deed for the day done, no further discussion required. Everyone out there "have a good day" :)   

Don’t copy the manual! You still have it, so refer to it and get the users to read it. What you need is documentation to confirm how you will use it. 

Go through your documents and remove the following headings- safe System of work, risk assessment, standard operating procedure etc Put them together and remove any obvious duplication. Call the new document “Instructions on the use of a cherry picker indoors to fit lights” or something similar.

Find something else to look at like “How the best people to write work instruction are the equipment users not Health and Safety”

Drink Gin