SA announces MEWP safety blitz

SafeWork SA has committed to a second round of statewide compliance audits on mobile elevating work platforms, for a period of three months.

Commencing this week, South Australian inspectors will be focusing on the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). The safety campaign will run over the coming months to ensure control measures are in place.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) can be used to control the risks to workers posed by working at heights. However, there is an increased risk of crush injury to workers operating from within a MEWP work basket.

Following audits in 2019, inspectors will again be visiting workplaces across a range of industries including mining, construction, manufacturing, retail and transport.

SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell said mobile elevating work platforms pose significant risk to workers.

“Our inspectors will be ensuring MEWPs are properly maintained and tested, and that workplaces have appropriate systems in place to reduce the risk of injury to workers,” said Mr Campbell.

New resource

A guideline document is available to help PCBUs understand and control identified hazards and risks. The guide includes information on ground support personnel, the minimum standards for training, along with a checklist to ensure training requirements are being met.

Information has been included to provide guidance on ground support personnel during operation of a MEWP.

“It is crucial to ensure the operator of a MEWP is properly trained and competent in its use as the controls can vary across different manufacturers.

The SafeWork SA guideline clearly stipulates the minimum standards of training required, along with a checklist to ensure the training requirements have been met,” said Mr Campbell.