The Work at Height Regulations (2005) have worked hard to increase the safety of all workers who work on scaffolds or powered access machinery. Parts of the regulations ensure persons working on items such as the scissor lift have had suitable training. By making sure all those using machinery have had adequate training, safe working procedures are followed meaning that all work in a safer environment. The scissor lift also falls into the mobile elevated work platform category or MEWP.
MEWPs make working at height easier for a variety of different industries allowing them to reach work areas quickly and easily. The modern scissor lift also has guard rails which are put in place to ensure workers do not fall and injure themselves. Additionally they can be used inside and out. Uses for the scissor lift vary greatly, from painting and decorating large rooms where ladders are not safe, changing electrical fittings in halls and amphitheatres and repairing brick work at height. Thankfully the Work at Height Regulations ensures that no matter what the uses, workers carry out their tasks in a safe and responsible manner.
Part of adequate training allows operators to choose the right scissor lift for the job, this not only concerns the height at which the lift can reach, but also the size of the platform and the safety equipment on the lift. IPAF, a body set up to create regulations and safe working methods for powered access machinery, is currently involved with a 'clunk click' campaign. The work of IPAF campaigners is to ensure that those working at height have suitable harnessing equipment and are secured to the scissor lift at all times. This campaign is working in conjunction with the government's health and safety executive so safe working practices are adopted in all industries using MEWPs.
When choosing a scissor lift there are various considerations that must be made. The first of these considerations is the height of the job; understandably the lift must reach to a height that allows workers to carry out the job safely without stretching too much. Additionally adequate training will give workers the knowledge to look at the conditions and deem whether work will be safe. These conditions include the surface the platform will be placed upon and if working externally, any weather conditions that could be deemed as unsafe. As well as concerns with conditions, training ensures operatives will be able to recognise any other hazards such as overhanging features that may impede the operation of the scissor lift, or if working by a road, which traffic measures will need to be taken to ensure collisions do not happen.
Legally defined training is essential for at least one of the persons operating a scissor lift. Part of this training will include how to cope in the event of an accident. Tasks such as looking after injured workers when they have had a fall are essential. Falls can seriously injure and hence having the first aid knowledge of what to do means that the safety of workers is enhanced. In addition to medical training, courses normally include information on how to check over machinery to see if it is safe as well giving the knowledge of how to make more detailed assessments of the operability of a scissor lift.
Thankfully the work of IPAF and the government has made scissor lift operators safer. Working at height is always a risk no matter how many safety principles are instilled in operatives. By having the knowledge to reduce these risks and cope in emergencies the working at height environment has been made safer.
Since 2005 new Work at Height Regulations have been in effect as a way to improve safety in all manner of industries that use mobile access machinery, the scissor lift and scaffolding. Part of these regulations have been created to make sure that the person using powered access machinery has had a suitable level of training. By ensuring there are always workers with training when people are using access machinery, it is hoped that safety will be increased. The scissor lift falls into the powered access machinery category, being referred to as a mobile elevated platform or MEWP for short.
MEWPs are used in a large variety of industries, allowing workers to reach inaccessible areas speedily and safely. The contemporary scissor lift has been designed with guard rails that actively work towards preventing falls and dangerous situations. This type of machinery can also be used in interiors and exteriors meaning it is a far reaching mobile access solution. In terms of the usability of the scissor lift, painters and decorators regularly use them, as do maintenance workers such as electricians who need to access wiring in large halls or auditoriums. It is hoped that by the release of the Work at height Regulations 2005 that the safety in all of these industries will be improved, allowing workers to perform their roles safely and effectively.
Training courses are in abundance when it comes to the use of the scissor lift. With effective training operators are given the knowledge to select thee right lift for the job, part of this process includes taking account of the maximum height of the lift, how large the platform is and the amount of safety equipment affixed to the platform. It is not just the government however that have strived to making the use of powered access machinery safer, IPAF and independent body of manufacturers and users has recently embarked upon a 'clunk, click' campaign. This campaign resembles the road safety variant of the same name and attempts to put safety issues at the forefront of all workers' minds that utilise mechanised lifting solutions. IPAF are also working in conjunction with government ministers to further develop the safety procedures for working at height to create a safer working environment.
As previously stated having training means that the selection of the right equipment is assured. This thought process must first assess the height of the job as a machine that only reaches with the worker at full stretch will not be suitable. In addition, training enables operators to make an assessment of the working area. Factors such as nearby doorways, any external weather condition, such as high winds, and the surface the machinery is to be placed upon should all be taken into account. Once again having suitable knowledge to recognise the risks posed by oncoming traffic or overhanging hazards is essential.
As a part of the Work at Height Regulations, training is considered a legal necessity. As an employer it is important to ensure all staff members working on access equipment have had training, otherwise legal penalties can become an issue. None of these developments should be begrudged however, with accidents costing thousands in compensation, as well as the human costs of debilitating injuries or even death, the response of the government to make the use of powered access machinery is an understandable and required response.
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