8.4 Parking, Securing & Transporting MEWPs, and Other Site Hazards
Key Takeaways
At the end of work, lower and stow the platform, park on firm level ground clear of traffic routes and exits, and remove the keys.
ISO 18878 requires operator training to cover securing the MEWP against unauthorised use, transport, hazardous locations and high-pressure systems.
Lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen while charging, so charge only in ventilated areas away from sparks and flames.
IPAF notes that a vehicle-mounted MEWP over 3.5 tonnes must, as a general rule, be driven by a person holding an HGV licence.
In explosive atmospheres zoned under DSEAR 2002, only a MEWP certified for that zone may be used.
Parking, Securing & Transporting MEWPs, and Other Site Hazards
Quick Answer: At the end of work, lower and stow the platform, park on firm, level ground clear of traffic routes, exits and overhead hazards, remove the keys and secure the machine against unauthorised use—an ISO 18878 training requirement. Charge batteries only in ventilated areas because they give off hydrogen. Loading, unloading and road transport are separate skills: IPAF runs a Loading and Unloading (LOAD) course, and vehicle-mounted MEWPs over 3.5 tonnes generally need an HGV-licensed driver. Finally, plan for the hazards that the main chapters do not cover in detail: flammable atmospheres, exhaust fumes and confined spaces, high-pressure systems, falling objects, hot work and work near water.
ISO 18878:2025 lists several topics that every MEWP operator's theory training must include but that are easy to overlook: issues associated with transporting a MEWP, understanding that the MEWP must be secured against unauthorised use, hazardous locations (flammable or explosive atmospheres) and hazards associated with high-pressure systems. This section brings them together.
Parking and Making the MEWP Safe at the End of Work
A MEWP left elevated, unlocked or parked in the wrong place is a hazard to everyone on site. At the end of each task or shift:
- Lower and stow: Fully lower the platform, retract booms and extensions, and stow outriggers as the manual requires. Never leave a MEWP elevated and unattended.
- Choose the parking spot: Park on firm, level ground, away from excavations, traffic routes, fire exits, doorways, overhead cables and areas where other plant will work. Indoors, do not block escape routes or sprinkler and alarm equipment.
- Secure the machine: Apply the parking brake (or wheel brakes on a PAV), switch off, and remove the ignition and selector keys. Store keys where only authorised operators can get them. Where a battery isolator or lockable compound is provided, use it.
- Record: Report any defect found during the shift, and record your operating experience in your ePAL log book.
Warning
Keys left in a parked MEWP invite unauthorised use by untrained people. Securing the machine is part of the operator's job, and ISO 18878 requires operators to understand it.
Charging and Refuelling
- Battery charging: Lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen while charging. Charge only in a well-ventilated area designated for the purpose, away from sparks, flames and smoking, with the battery trays open if the manufacturer requires it. Electrolyte is corrosive, so wear the PPE the manufacturer specifies when checking levels.
- Refuelling: Refuel with the engine off and the platform stowed, away from ignition sources, using the correct fuel. Clean up spills before restarting.
Loading, Unloading and Road Transport
Loading a MEWP onto a vehicle or trailer is a common point for overturns and runaways. Operators who load and unload need specific training; IPAF runs a separate Loading and Unloading (LOAD) course for delivery drivers.
| Task | Key controls |
|---|---|
| Choosing the area | Firm, level ground away from traffic and pedestrians; good lighting |
| Ramps and beavertails | Check the ramps are rated for the machine's weight, correctly fitted and not slippery; travel slowly in the stowed position, within the manufacturer's slope rating and orientation |
| Securing the load | Use the manufacturer's tie-down points and suitable lashings; never ride in the platform during loading |
| Driving the vehicle | IPAF notes that, as a general rule, a vehicle-mounted MEWP over 3.5 tonnes must be driven by a person with an HGV licence; vehicles over 3 m high need a travel-height notice in the cab |
| Weights and permits | IPAF and the UK government publish guidance on machine weights, permissible loads and engineering-plant rules for MEWPs used on the road |
Other Site Hazards to Plan For
Hazardous Locations
In refineries, chemical plants, paint shops and some food and pharmaceutical sites, flammable gases, vapours or dusts can create explosive atmospheres. Under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), these areas are zoned, and only equipment certified for the zone may be used. A standard MEWP is an ignition source; use only a machine specified for that zone (Section 4.3) and follow the site permit system.
Exhaust Fumes and Confined or Enclosed Spaces
Diesel and LPG engines produce carbon monoxide and other fumes. Indoors, in basements, tunnels or poorly ventilated buildings, use electric machines or provide ventilation and monitoring as the risk assessment requires. BS 8460:2025 adds guidance on confined spaces, where rescue is also harder to plan.
High-Pressure Systems
MEWP hydraulic systems run at very high pressure. A pinhole leak can inject oil through the skin, so never search for leaks with your hand—use card or wood, and get urgent medical help for any injection injury. Hydraulic components can hold pressure after shutdown; leave repairs to competent technicians. Treat tyres, accumulators and gas struts with the same respect.
Falling Objects
Dropped tools and materials are a hazard to people below. Keep the platform tidy, tether tools when working over people, keep materials inside the platform, never throw anything from the platform, and keep the exclusion zone in place (Section 8.3).
Hot Work
Welding, cutting and grinding from a platform can damage hydraulic hoses, harness webbing and lanyards, and start fires. Hot work needs a permit, protection for the machine and PPE, a suitable fire extinguisher, and a fire watch as the site requires.
Water, Exiting at Height and Other Special Cases
Working next to or over water needs a decision on life jackets versus harnesses (Section 9.1), and exiting the platform at height is not allowed unless a rigorous risk assessment shows it is the safest method (Section 9.3).
An operator finishes work on a scissor lift at the end of the shift. Which action best meets the requirement to secure the MEWP against unauthorised use?
Leave the platform slightly raised so that nobody can drive the machine away overnight
Leave the keys in the ground controls so that the next operator can find them quickly
Stow it on firm, level ground clear of exits and traffic routes, and remove the keys
Padlock the platform gate and leave the machine switched on so the beacon stays visible
Why must electric MEWPs with lead-acid batteries be charged only in a well-ventilated area away from sparks and flames?
The batteries give off hydrogen while charging, which can explode if it builds up
The charging cables supplied with MEWPs are not rated for use inside any building
Ventilation keeps the foam-filled tyres cool while the machine is on charge overnight
Charging in a confined space resets the load-sensing system to its factory calibration
A contractor needs to use a MEWP inside a paint-spraying area classified as a hazardous zone under DSEAR 2002. What is the correct approach?
Use any electric scissor lift, because electric machines produce no sparks
Use only a MEWP certified for that zone, under the site's permit system
Use a diesel boom with the windows open
Use a standard MEWP but keep the platform below 5 metres
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.