Basic HTML Version
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EWPA Safe Use and Information Pack
Peter said operators
should always refer to the
Manufacturer’s Operating
Manual supplied with
the EWP for how these
controls work and
then utilise them when
operating the EWP.
“Make sure safety
decals are on machine
and are legible. The
pack also promotes
the use of the logbook
and encourages pre-op
inspections. It’s amazing
how many machines come
back from hire with no
evidence of these checks
being done.
“We suggest when
an EWP comes on site
operators and management
allow the operator time to ‘get
a feel’ for the stopping times of
each function before operating
and before the platform is put
in more hazardous positions.
“The pack is also a promotion
of Australian Standard
compliance and information of
what markings/plates to look
for on each EWP,” Peter said.
“This includes what relevant
maintenance information
should be supplied with each
EWP. A copy of the last routine
or three monthly inspection
should be provided with the
machine.
The information pack is at:
www.ewpa.com.au under
Information Sheets and is free
to download and use.
HR
32 | ACCESS
in
ACTION | NOVEMBER 2012
ACCESS in ACTION
To promote the safety of
EWPs in Australia, the EWPA
has produced an EWP Safe Use
Information Pack.
This new document has been
produced by the EWPA to
assist those sites that require
pre delivery risk assessments of
EWPs and have strict delivery
processes. The EWPA is seeking
to standardise the approach so
all users of EWPs can work from
a standard template.
Peter Davis from Coates Hire
was instrumental in driving and
developing the EWP Safe Use
and Information Pack.
“The need to develop a
standard safe use approach
arose mid to late last decade
when Mobile Powered Plant
was identified by the Federal
government as a major cause of
injury in industry,” Peter said.
“In trying to gain
accreditation construction
companies started to develop
their own criteria for plant
being supplied to their site.
This included a Risk Assessment
to be conducted prior to
acceptance on site.
“In some instances, machines
are being prevented from
coming on site without this
information or pre acceptance
inspections conducted. This can
result in EWPs being stopped at
the gate until a torque wrench
is found to check the wheel
nuts.
“One of our major concerns
is the increase in non-Australian
Standards compliant
‘grey imports’.
Because of the global
slowdown and good
Aussie dollar more
EWP’s are being
purchased online and
from places like Ebay
and Auction houses.
Often these machines
are built to overseas
Standards and end
users don’t realise
they need to be
verified to comply to
Australian Standards.
The new info pack
is divided into three
sections.
Part 1 Pre Selection:
This section provides
information to assist in the
planning process of using an
EWP relating to application,
site conditions (eg: height,
reach, surface conditions,
indoor or outdoor use,
suspended surfaces etc),
operator competence / training
requirements (reference to WP
Licence and Yellow Card; and
includes Emergency Lowering
training; also reminds personnel
they must be trained to
retrieve the platform using the
controls at ground level in the
event of an emergency) and
hazard evaluation. It should
be conducted by the person
responsible for the safe use of
plant in their workplace.
Part 2 Pre Acceptance:
This section provides
information to identify the
EWP has been designed and
maintained to Australian
Standards and regulatory
requirements. This section
is completed by the person
responsible for the safe use
of plant in their workplace. It
works as a checklist bearing in
mind the checker cannot know
all things EWP!
Part 3 Pre Operational
Inspection Checklist:
This is the same as the logbook
pre operational checklist but
designed for sites where a
separate itemised record is
required before use by the
operator. This helps reinforce
the consistency of pre
operational checks to the site
and the actual operator.
Peter Davis from Coates Hire was instrumental in driving and
developing the EWP Safe Use and Information Pack