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What is a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)?

MEWP: a machine that raises people, tools and materials to a work position on a platform with controls, carried by an extending structure on a chassis.[3]

Also called Mobile elevating work platform, Aerial work platform, Elevating work platform

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Which machines count as a MEWP?

Scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts, boom lifts and truck-mounted booms all count. SANS 18893:2007, which adopts ISO 18893:2004, covers every MEWP with a work platform and controls, an extending structure and a chassis.[3]

A boom lift is what most people call a cherry picker; the cherry picker hire guide covers choosing and hiring one. A crane carrying a man-cage is not a MEWP: the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 define a man-cage so that it excludes MEWPs (regulation 1).[1]

In practice, MEWPs are sorted by two questions. IPAF, the powered access industry body, first asks whether the platform's centre can reach beyond the machine's footprint.[6]

It then asks whether the machine travels with its platform raised, and if so, whether it is driven from the base or the platform. The answers give the machine's category code.[6]

  • IPAF category 3a: mobile verticals, such as scissor lifts.[6]
  • IPAF category 3b: mobile booms, such as self-propelled boom lifts.[6]
  • IPAF categories 1a and 1b: static verticals and static booms.[6]

Does a MEWP need a lifting machinery inspector?

Yes, at least once every 12 months. Regulation 18(5)(a) of the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 requires a thorough examination and performance test by a lifting machinery inspector of a lifting machinery entity. That test is due before first use, after each re-erection and then at intervals not exceeding 12 months.[1]

Regulation 18(5)(c) excludes MEWPs from the performance test after each re-deployment within those 12 months. A competent person still examines ropes, chains, hooks, sheaves, brakes and safety devices at intervals not exceeding six months (regulation 18(6)).[1]

A company using a hired MEWP keeps its latest test and service records, not older than 12 months, on its premises (regulation 18(7)(b)). SANS 18893 is one of the standards incorporated into the Driven Machinery Regulations by Notice R. 542 of 24 June 2015.[1][2]

What training must a MEWP operator have in South Africa?

A certificate of training for a MEWP from an accredited training provider. Regulation 18(11) of the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 requires it for every machine listed in the National Code of Practice for training providers. The 2024 Code lists the mobile elevated work platform as code C53.[1][4]

Clause 14.5 of the 2024 Code bars anyone from operating listed equipment without a valid certificate of competence and a carry card. A licence or carry card is valid for up to 24 months (clause 14.2).[4]

Training providers may be accredited by the QCTO or the Transport SETA until the end of June 2027, and by the QCTO only after that. On a construction site, regulation 23(1)(d) of the Construction Regulations, 2014 adds written authorisation and a medical certificate of fitness.[4][5]

Must you wear a harness in a MEWP?

In a boom, IPAF strongly recommends it. Its guidance H1 says occupants of static and mobile booms should use a lanyard short enough to restrain the wearer within the platform.[7]

In a vertical lift, IPAF says fall protection equipment is not normally needed, other than in exceptional circumstances. The job-specific risk assessment decides, read with the manufacturer's operator manual.[7]

Questions buyers ask

Is a scissor lift a MEWP?

Yes. A scissor lift has a work platform with controls, an extending structure and a chassis, so it falls within SANS 18893. IPAF's category leaflet places mobile verticals in category 3a.[3][6]

Do MEWPs need a load test in South Africa?

Yes. A lifting machinery inspector examines and performance-tests a MEWP before first use and then at intervals not exceeding 12 months (Driven Machinery Regulations, regulation 18(5)(a)). A MEWP does not need a new performance test each time it moves to another site within that period (regulation 18(5)(c)).[1]

Who keeps the inspection records for a hired MEWP?

Both sides. The company using a leased lifting machine keeps the latest test and service records, not older than 12 months, on its premises (regulation 18(7)(b)). The owner and the lessor keep the full service history for at least 10 years (regulation 18(7)(c)).[1]

Sources

  1. Department of Labour (Government Gazette 38905), Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 (GN R. 540), 24 June 2015.
  2. Department of Labour (Government Gazette 38905), Incorporation of safety standards into the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015 (GN R. 542), 24 June 2015.
  3. Department of Trade and Industry (Government Gazette 30874), Standards Act, 1993: standards matters (GN 304), issue of SANS 16368:2007, SANS 18878:2007 and SANS 18893:2007, 20 March 2008.
  4. Department of Employment and Labour (Government Gazette 51711), Incorporation of the National Code of Practice for the Training Providers of Lifting Machine Operators, 2024, into the Driven Machinery Regulations, 2015, 6 December 2024.
  5. Department of Labour (Government Gazette 37305), Construction Regulations, 2014 (GN R. 84), 7 February 2014.
  6. International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), Which category is your MEWP? Machine categories leaflet (TR-672-0723-1), July 2023 by its document code; file posted October 2023.
  7. International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), H1: Fall protection in MEWPs, technical guidance (H1-TE-019-0717-2), 2017 by its document code; file posted November 2018.

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