Hirers must educate on MEWPs

Hirers of MEWPs should do more to educate customers about the equipment they supply, according to the head of health and safety at one major contractor.

“It is very difficult for site managers to make a full evaluation about the suitability of plant until they see it in action,” said Taylor Woodrow’s Steve Derbyshire. “Hirers can help us by making sure there’s a skills review on delivery, and speaking out if they have a concern about the MEWP’s application. A good site manager will listen.”

Derbyshire added that a lot of accidents occur during the first few weeks of an operator using a MEWP, when there may be unfamiliarity about either the site or the equipment used.