MEWPs in Construction: An Audit of an Organizational Safe-Use Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the work practices of bridge builders who operate mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) at various Company ABC work sites. The goals of the study were to conduct a process hazard analysis of MEWP operation tasks as well as to compare Company ABC’s current MEWP safe operations policy manual and training program to industry best practices. It should be noted that it is the researcher’s position that Company ABC is compliant with applicable MEWP federal and state OSHA basic regulatory standards. To achieve the goals of the process hazard task analysis, observation and photographic data were collected and analyzed on a laptop computer. To achieve the goals of the MEWP policy comparison, Company ABC’s policy manual and training program were compared against ANSI/SAIA best practices. The data was analyzed and numerous vulnerabilities were identified ranging from reputational damage from delayed project completion dates to loss-producing injuries such as crushed limbs, torso and organ damage, and death. It is recommended that Company address these deficiencies incrementally beginning with severity and ending with frequency. The most significant risk reduction approaches include the installation of a roll cage to prevent crushing and/caught in-between hazards from overhead obstructions, a reduction of vehicle-MEWP collision hazards in public right-of-ways by utilizing Jersey barriers and eliminating tip-over as well as ejection scenarios with engineered ramp systems. Policy and training recommendations included the development of a MEWP site risk assessment program, a written MEWP rescue plan, and a familiarization training policy.