Crushed By Mewp’s Platform

An accident has occurred at a building construction site involving a mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP). A worker who was operating the MEWP’s platform died after being crushed between the platform and building’s floor beam. The victim was believed to be unaware that the platform has approached too close to the side of the building wall, as he was facing his back to the building during that time. Another worker who was also inside the platform with the victim survived after she managed to ducked as the platform sunk into the space between the parapet wall and building’s floor beam.

Basing on this event, among the things that need to be addressed by the employers or the workers or operators is regarding:

Competencies and work experiences

Any worker or operator who has been assigned by the employer to operate a MEWP should be given adequate training, at least in respect of the following items:

• operation manual of the machinery
• safety devices on machinery and their use
• method of operating the machinery, especially boom operation
• working at height
• risks assessment of the workplace

Workers also should have a high skill in operating the MEWP and be familiarized with the functions and operations
of the respective machinery he needs to operate.

Sensitivity to working environment

Workers or operators should always be aware and sensitive to the surroundings in which they were working.When operating the MEWP, a lot of concentration is required from them regarding hazards that are present surround the platform for example overhead beams and electric cables, and taking action to avoid contact with those hazards.

Risks Assessment

A risks assessment should be carried out to identify all potential hazards associated with the operation of the MEWP. The working environment, the ground conditions and the limitations of the MEWP’s operation should be considered. Every worker who has been assigned by their employer to carry out tasks has the right to know the potential hazards they might encounter, and also the control measures that has been provided to overcome such risk by employer.

 

References:

1. Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) Incident Analysis – HSE UK.
2. Best Practice Guidance for MEWPs. Avoiding Trapping / Crushing Injuries to People in the Platform – Strategic Forum for Construction Plant Safety Group.
3. Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. Operator’s Safety Guide – Facelift.
4. Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. Best Practices and Guidelines – Worksafe New Zealand.

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