Fall protection while operating MEWP equipment

When operating mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), several fall protection measures and safety procedures must be followed to prevent falls from height. These include the use of appropriate personal fall protection equipment (PFPE), proper anchorage points, and adherence to safety regulations and industry standards.

A full body harness and lanyard are always required while in the platform. [1]

When a self-retracting/fixed or adjustable lanyard is used while exiting the platform it shall not allow a free fall greater than 6 ft/1.8m. In some global regions this could be 6.6ft/2m. [1]

Operators/workers are required to wear an approved* PFPE at all times and must use a lanyard designed to allow 100% tie-off when exiting or entering an elevated platform. Operators must attach a lanyard to an approved* surface/adjacent structure anchorage before detaching the primary lanyard from the platform anchor. [2]

The operator/worker must achieve 100% tie-off to an approved* attachment point when exiting the platform and/or transition to an approved* surface/structure that incorporates approved* fall protection measures (i.e., structures with guardrails). [2]

Before elevating the platform, the employer must ensure all persons on the platform wear a full body harness with a lanyard attached to either:

(a) The manufacturer's recommended attachment point; or

(b) The boom or platform if the manufacturer does not specify an attachment point. [3]

The employee must never attach a lanyard to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment. [3]

Before elevating the platform, the employer must ensure all persons on the platform of boom-supported elevating work platforms wear a full body harness and lanyard fixed to manufacturer provided and approved attachment points. [3]

Components of an active personal fall protection system:

• Anchorage point must support adequate loads.
• Harness (or body belt for fall restraint or positioning) must be worn as per manufacturer instructions.
• Connector (lanyard) must be adjusted so worker will not reach the ground below.
• Free fall distance must never exceed 6 feet. [4]

Operators must comply with all applicable jobsite, local, state, provincial, or federal rules, regulations, and standards and manufacturer's requirement for the use of personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) on Genie equipment and when exiting or entering an elevated platform. [1]

The user/employer and the operator shall comply with all applicable jobsite, local, state, provincial, or federal rules, regulations, and standards related to the use of the equipment and its modification. [1]