MEWP / Access Platform
pre-use check

The 12 things to look at before the key turns on mewp / cherry picker, scissor lift.

Every item below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or manufacturer's standard it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is the difference between a tick and a check.

1. 1.

   Visual inspection — no damage to platform or rails
   What to look forWalk the chassis, boom/scissor pack and platform. Look for distortion in the boom sections, dents on the basket, cracked welds at the riser/jib pivots, missing or loose fasteners, hydraulic weeps at cylinder rod ends, decals legible (SWL, max occupants, max hand force, wind rating).
   Acceptable whenNo structural distortion or cracking. All decals (SWL, max occupants, ground slope, wind rating) legible. No fluid leaks. All guardrails and gussets straight, fasteners present and tight.
   StandardPUWER 1998 reg.5/6. LOLER 1998 reg.9. BS EN 280 (mobile elevating work platforms). IPAF Andy Access pre-use guidance.
   Common defectsBend in the basket rail from a knock against steelwork — inspect for crackingDecals painted over after a refurb — SWL no longer legibleHairline crack at the jib pivot weld — refer to fitter, do not useHydraulic weep at the rod-end seal — drips into the chassis trayReplacement (non-OEM) gate fitted — geometry doesn't match, gate fouls
2. 2.

   Controls at platform and ground level working
   What to look forTest platform controls through full motion (drive, steer, lift, lower, slew, jib, telescope as fitted). Then test ground/base controls — they must override the platform controls. Foot pedal / interlock (deadman) on platform must be required to enable function. E-stops at both stations functional.
   Acceptable whenBoth stations operate per handbook. Ground override functional. Deadman/foot pedal required to enable any motion at the platform. Both E-stops kill power. Selector clearly labelled.
   StandardBS EN 280. PUWER 1998 reg.14, reg.15, reg.17. LOLER 1998 reg.7. Manufacturer's daily check.
   Common defectsFoot pedal taped down — deadman bypassed, critical defectPlatform E-stop not killing power — relay welded shutGround controls inoperative — common after a base panel resealingJoystick at platform sticky — hand control proportional but jerkySelector key missing — operator using a screwdriver to select
3. 3.

   Emergency lowering tested
   What to look forDemonstrate the manual emergency descent (gravity-down valve or hand pump) from the ground in case of platform failure. Operator at platform should know how to call for it. Cab card / decal showing the procedure clearly visible. Valve identifiable, accessible, not painted over.
   Acceptable whenEmergency descent operates and brings the platform down at controlled rate. Procedure card visible and legible. Operator and a ground person briefed and able to demonstrate.
   StandardBS EN 280. LOLER 1998 reg.7. IPAF rescue plan guidance. CDM 2015 reg.13 (rescue from height).
   Common defectsLowering valve seized through lack of useProcedure card faded to illegibilityHand pump handle missing from its holderOperator at platform doesn't know the rescue procedure existsBattery isolator off cuts the controls but the gravity descent still works only on the right brand — confusion in an emergency
4. 4.

   Guardrails and toe boards in place
   What to look forTop rail, mid rail (or full mesh), and toe board on all sides of the platform. No gaps; gate spring-loaded to self-close. Rails not bent or distorted. Mesh in-fill (where fitted) not torn.
   Acceptable whenTop rail nominally 1100mm, toe board ≥150mm, mid rail mid-height (per BS EN 280). All four sides protected. Gate self-closing. No removed or makeshift rail.
   StandardBS EN 280. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.6 & Sch.2. LOLER 1998 reg.7.
   Common defectsRail removed for material loading and not refittedToe board cracked or partly missing — small object fall riskGate spring broken — gate hangs openMid rail bent inwards from a knock — fall through gapAfter-market rail extension fitted to gain height — exceeds the platform CE rating
5. 5.

   Gate / chain secured
   What to look forSelf-closing gate latches positively when shut; if a chain is fitted (older units), it clips into a positive locator (not a make-do hook). Closed before any motion is enabled (interlock fitted on newer units).
   Acceptable whenGate self-closes and self-latches every time. Interlock prevents motion when open (where fitted). Chain (if used) into a CE-marked socket, not over a bolt or U-bolt.
   StandardBS EN 280. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.6.
   Common defectsLatch worn — gate appears closed but pops open under boom motionChain hook fashioned from a S-hook with no positive locatorInterlock disabled to speed up cycle time — critical defectSpring pulled too tight to compensate for wear — gate slams in fingers
6. 6.

   Tyres / outriggers condition acceptable
   What to look forSolid (foam-filled or non-marking) tyres for cuts, chunks missing, or flats spots. Outriggers (where fitted): pads firm onto level ground via mats if needed, locking pins or auto-level system engaged, all four registering "set" before the platform will lift.
   Acceptable whenTyres free of significant chunking or sidewall damage. Outriggers fully set, machine level (typically <3° each axis), all interlocks satisfied before lift. Mats sized for the load case.
   StandardPUWER 1998 reg.5. BS EN 280. LOLER 1998 reg.4. Manufacturer's ground bearing pressure data.
   Common defectsFoam-filled tyre with a 50mm chunk missing — bouncing motion, instabilityOutrigger limit switch out of adjustment — machine thinks it's set when it isn'tMat too small for the pad — point load on soft groundAuto-levelling defaulting to chassis tilt rather than platform — operator unawareOne leg on a covered drain — risk of foundation collapse mid-lift
7. 7.

   Battery charged / fuel level adequate
   What to look forBattery state of charge ≥80% before starting (electric units). For diesel/bi-fuel: fuel level adequate for the planned shift, no leaks at the tank or lines. Battery fluid level (lead acid) above the plates, no corrosion at terminals. Charger off and disconnected before move.
   Acceptable whenSoC ≥80% (or per handbook). Fuel adequate. No corrosion or fluid leak. Battery isolator key control as per site rules.
   StandardPUWER 1998 reg.6. Manufacturer's daily check. Battery Regs 2009 (disposal/charge). DSEAR for any LPG.
   Common defectsBattery low — basket falls short on lift cycle, intermittent E-stopFuel cap missing — water and dirt ingressBattery terminal corrosion — voltage drop on hoistCharger left plugged in — drag away breaks the lead and tears the socketDiesel bowser top-up done with the wrong fuel on a hire fleet
8. 8.

   Horn and alarms working
   What to look forHorn at the platform sounds clearly. Tilt alarm sounds (and motions inhibit) when the chassis is artificially tilted. Drive alarm sounds during travel. Descent alarm sounds when boom is lowered.
   Acceptable whenAll alarms audible above site noise. Tilt alarm activates within manufacturer's tolerance (commonly 3–5°). No silencer or volume cap fitted.
   StandardBS EN 280. PUWER 1998 reg.17. Manufacturer's daily check.
   Common defectsTilt alarm taped over — operator finds the noise annoyingDescent alarm silenced after a customer complaint and never reinstatedBattery low — alarms weak and intermittentCab horn diaphragm pierced by water — wheezes rather than sounds
9. 9.

   LOLER certificate current
   What to look forThorough examination report in date for this MEWP, identified by serial. Examiner competent. No outstanding defect actions past their date. Schedule of items examined matches Schedule 1 of LOLER.
   Acceptable when6-monthly examination (because MEWPs lift persons). Report in date. No open defect actions past due. Cert applies to this serial.
   StandardLOLER 1998 reg.9 and reg.10. Schedule 1. INDG422 HSE guidance.
   Common defectsCert in date but for a sister machine in the depot — paperwork error on hire delivery6-month interval misread as 12-month — overdueDefect action "rectify before next shift" not signed offInitial cert only after major repair — no subsequent thorough exam
10. 10.

    Operator card valid (IPAF)
    What to look forIPAF PAL Card (or equivalent) for the correct machine category — 1a (static vertical), 1b (static boom), 3a (mobile vertical), 3b (mobile boom), or specialist categories. Photo matches operator. Card in date (5-year validity). Familiarisation with this specific make/model recorded.
    Acceptable whenIn-date PAL card for the actual category being used. Photo matches. Familiarisation logbook for this make/model present where required by the hire desk.
    StandardCDM 2015 reg.15. PUWER 1998 reg.9. IPAF training framework. Build UK / MCG card requirements.
    Common defects1b card presented for a 3b machine — wrong categoryCard in date but no familiarisation entry for an unfamiliar boom geometryCard expired within the last month — IPAF reminder ignoredCard belongs to colleague — photo mismatch
11. 11.

    Harness worn and attached (boom type)
    What to look forFull-body harness in date (annual recorded inspection plus pre-use), correctly fitted (chest strap level, leg straps positive, dorsal D-ring mid-back). Short restraint lanyard (not a fall-arrest shock pack) attached to the manufacturer's anchor inside the basket. Harness attachment is to restrain occupant inside the basket — not to arrest a fall outside it.
    Acceptable whenRestraint lanyard ≤1.8m or as per manufacturer's instruction (some ≤1m to keep operator inside basket). Lanyard clipped to the marked anchor inside the platform. Harness within service life (typically 5 years OEM, plus 6-monthly thorough exam).
    StandardBS EN 361 (full-body harness). BS EN 354/355 (lanyards). BS EN 363 (PFPS). LOLER 1998 reg.7 (PPE that is also work equipment). IPAF Andy Access. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.7 & Sch.5.
    Common defectsLanyard clipped to the basket rail rather than the marked anchor pointShock-absorbing fall-arrest lanyard used in restraint role — too long, allows ejectionHarness webbing chemically stained from welding spatterInspection record card missing — assume out of inspectionLanyard with damaged or non-locking karabiner
12. 12.

    Ground conditions firm and level
    What to look forGround capable of supporting wheel/outrigger loading at the highest deflection of the boom (worst case is usually max reach with full basket). Slope within the manufacturer's safe travel/operating limit. No backfilled trenches, basements, or hollow surfaces under the contact patches.
    Acceptable whenSlope ≤manufacturer's spec (commonly 5° travel, 0° elevated for many units). Surface bears the calculated point or wheel load with mats where required. No "soft spots".
    StandardBS EN 280. PUWER 1998 reg.5. CDM 2015 reg.27. LOLER 1998 reg.4 (positioning).
    Common defectsTravelling elevated across a slope — chassis tilt alarm overriddenWheel load on an unmarked drainage coverSlope OK at one end of the route but not the other — not surveyed end-to-endRecently rained, surface mud hides a soft layerOutrigger pad on a concrete slab edge — eccentric loading risk

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