Capital Equipment News April 2022

Gravity Access is a work at height specialist providing turnkey work at height solutions.

International research has found mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) to be safer and more effective compared with other methods for work at height

Workers and operators should have sufficient training, knowledge and experience, and should be appointed by the employer to enable them to identify hazards and to carry out their duties at the level of responsivity assigned to them.

The MEWP industry is regulated in South Africa by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the NCOP

Worker complacency and the incorrect use of safety equipment can be curbed by way of strictly enforced legislation as to who may or may not make use of equipment

Legislation When asked whether the use of MEWPs should be legislated in South Africa as is the case in Europe, Wulfsohn points out that the MEWP industry is already regulated in South Africa by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the NCOP. Vorster is of the opinion that MEWP use should be legislated (as opposed to regulated) in this country, “as long as annual and bi-annual inspections, user competency certification, pre-use check lists and others are required and complied with to ensure the safe operation of MEWPs.” Combating worker complacency Wulfsohn says worker complacency and the incorrect use of safety equipment can be prevented when the correct steps are taken during a pre-use planning process. These steps must include risk

Companies must focus on developing a culture of safety, where top management leads by example

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assessments and supervision, as there are no short cuts to the safe use of MEWPs. “Workers and operators should have sufficient training, knowledge and experience, and should be appointed by the employer to enable them to identify hazards and to carry out their duties at the level of responsivity assigned to them.” He says ways to reduce the risks of operating a MEWP include planning the MEWP route and selecting the MEWP carefully;

ensuring that familiarisation with safety equipment and protocols is specific; ensuring good ground conditions and visibility at height; minimising distractions; not overriding the MEWP controls or use faulty MEWPs, and rehearsing the rescue procedure. Jabulani Skhosana, training facilitator and fall protection planner at Evolution Height Safety, suggests continuous training and refresher courses for workers, the appointment of supervisors to ensure

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