Mobile elevated work platforms — MEWPs — are among the most widely used access equipment on UK construction sites. Scissor lifts, boom lifts, cherry pickers, and vehicle-mounted platforms provide safe, efficient access to work at height for electricians, painters, M&E contractors, and maintenance trades across the industry.
But MEWPs are also responsible for a significant number of serious and fatal injuries every year. Overturning, falls from the platform, being struck by a descending platform, and operatives becoming entangled in overhead hazards are all well-documented causes of MEWP incidents in UK construction. A properly completed MEWP risk assessment — combined with a pre-use inspection and confirmation of operator competency — is the foundation of safe MEWP use on any site.
This guide covers the legal requirements for MEWP risk assessments in the UK, what the assessment must include, the IPAF and LOLER requirements that apply, and how to produce documentation that meets the expectations of any UK principal contractor.
What is a MEWP?
A mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) is any machine that moves people to elevated working positions. The BSI standard BS EN 280 categorises MEWPs into two main groups:
Group A MEWPs — platforms that can only move within the base of the machine (vertically above the base). Includes scissor lifts and vertical mast lifts.
Group B MEWPs — platforms that can move beyond the base of the machine. Includes boom lifts (both telescopic and articulated), cherry pickers, and vehicle-mounted platforms.
For risk assessment and competency purposes, the distinction between Group A and Group B is important — Group B MEWPs present higher stability risks because the platform can extend beyond the machine's base, making overturning more likely if used incorrectly.
Common MEWP types used in UK construction include:
- Scissor lifts — vertical-only movement, wide stable base, commonly used indoors for ceiling work and services installation
- Telescopic boom lifts — horizontal and vertical reach, used outdoors for facade work, roofing access, and external M&E installation
- Articulated boom lifts — can reach over and around obstacles, widely used in plant rooms and complex structures
- Cherry pickers — vehicle-mounted or self-propelled boom platforms, used for external building maintenance, street lighting, and tree work
- Vertical mast lifts — compact, low-clearance machines designed for indoor use in tight spaces
The legal framework for MEWP use
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all MEWP operations. They require that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out by competent persons. MEWPs must be suitable for the task and the environment, and operatives must be trained and competent to use them.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to MEWPs because they lift people. LOLER requires that all lifting equipment — including MEWPs — is:
- Of adequate strength and stability
- Positioned and installed to minimise risk
- Used safely and maintained in good condition
- Thoroughly examined at specified intervals by a competent person
For MEWPs, LOLER requires a thorough examination every 6 months where the MEWP is used to lift people. The thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person — typically a specialist engineer or inspection body — and the results recorded in a written examination report. Before using any MEWP on site, you must confirm that a current, in-date LOLER examination report exists for that machine.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require that all work equipment — including MEWPs — is suitable for the purpose, maintained in good condition, and used only by people who have received adequate training and instruction.
CDM 2015 requires that MEWP use is included in the construction phase plan on notifiable projects, and that principal contractors ensure subcontractors using MEWPs have appropriate risk assessments in place.
IPAF — the competency standard for MEWP operators
IPAF — the International Powered Access Federation — provides the industry-recognised training and qualification for MEWP operators in the UK. IPAF training covers the safe operation of MEWPs, pre-use inspection procedures, emergency procedures, and the regulatory framework for MEWP use.
IPAF training is categorised by MEWP type:
- 1a — Vertical Mast (static)
- 1b — Boom (static)
- 3a — Scissor (mobile)
- 3b — Boom (mobile)
An operator's IPAF card — the PAL (Powered Access Licence) card — specifies which categories they are trained and qualified to operate. Before allowing any operative to use a MEWP on your site, check that their PAL card is current and covers the specific type of machine being used.
While IPAF training is not a statutory legal requirement, it is the accepted standard of competence for MEWP operation in the UK construction industry, and most principal contractors require a valid PAL card as a condition of MEWP use on their sites. The legal requirement under PUWER and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 is competence — IPAF training is the recognised way to demonstrate it.
What a MEWP risk assessment must include
A compliant MEWP risk assessment for UK construction must cover the following:
1. Task and MEWP type identification
Describe specifically what type of MEWP will be used, for what task, in what location. "MEWP risk assessment" is not sufficient. "Use of a 12m articulated boom lift for installation of cable containment at high level in the main warehouse" is specific enough to demonstrate genuine assessment.
2. Hazard identification
Overturning and instability:
The most serious MEWP hazard. Overturning can occur due to ground conditions, slopes, soft or uneven surfaces, uneven loading, driving with the platform elevated, or extending a Group B machine beyond its safe operating envelope. Overturning events are typically fatal.
Falls from the platform:
Operatives can fall from the platform through leaning out beyond the guardrail, through impact with an overhead or adjacent object, or through ejection caused by the machine moving unexpectedly. Operatives working in a MEWP basket must wear a safety harness and lanyard connected to the manufacturer's designated anchor point at all times.
Entrapment:
The platform or operator can become trapped against overhead structures — beams, pipes, ceilings, and mezzanine edges — as the platform is raised or moved. Overhead hazard awareness is a critical element of MEWP operator training.
Being struck by the platform or machine:
Operatives and others on the ground can be struck by the descending platform, the boom, or the machine body if not kept clear of the operating area.
Proximity to overhead electrical services:
Working near overhead power lines — both outdoors and indoors — creates electrocution risk. The safe working distances from overhead lines must be identified and maintained, and exclusion zones established where required.
Ground conditions:
Soft, uneven, sloped, or contaminated ground can affect MEWP stability. Drainage covers, manhole covers, and floor gratings may not be capable of supporting the outrigger loads of a large MEWP. Ground conditions must be assessed before the machine is positioned.
Wind and weather:
Outdoor MEWP use in high winds significantly increases the risk of platform movement and overturning. Each MEWP has a maximum operating wind speed specified by the manufacturer — this must be identified and monitored during use.
Third party contact:
Pedestrians, other trades, and vehicles on site can be struck by the MEWP during travel or operation. Exclusion zones and banksman arrangements are required in areas with significant pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
Transporting MEWPs:
Moving MEWPs between locations — on site and on the road — introduces specific hazards including machine overturning during loading and unloading, load restraint failures, and vehicle handling issues with large, heavy machines.
3. Risk rating
Rate each hazard for likelihood and severity both before and after controls. The residual risk after controls must be as low as reasonably practicable.
4. Control measures
Operator competency — confirm that all MEWP operators hold a valid IPAF PAL card covering the specific machine type being used. Record names and PAL card reference numbers.
LOLER examination — confirm that the MEWP has a current in-date LOLER thorough examination report before use. Record the examination date and next due date. Do not use any MEWP that has an expired LOLER certificate.
Pre-use inspection — every MEWP must be inspected before each period of use by the operator. The pre-use inspection covers the condition of all machine components — controls, hydraulics, tyres or tracks, guardrails, platform floor, harness anchor points, emergency lowering function, and safety devices. The inspection must be recorded in writing.
Ground conditions assessment — assess the ground at the proposed operating location before positioning the machine. Use outriggers and spreader plates where required. Do not operate on slopes exceeding the manufacturer's maximum rated gradient.
Exclusion zone — establish an exclusion zone around the operating area. The size of the zone depends on the machine type, the working height, and the site layout. Clearly mark the exclusion zone with barriers and signage.
Harness and lanyard — all operatives in a MEWP basket must wear a full-body harness and a short restraint lanyard connected to the manufacturer's designated anchor point. The lanyard must be short enough to prevent the operative from being thrown clear of the platform in the event of overturning — which would cause additional injury from the lanyard itself.
Overhead hazard assessment — identify all overhead hazards in the working area before commencing operations. Mark minimum clearance heights where relevant. Brief operators on overhead hazard awareness before work starts.
Weather monitoring — identify the manufacturer's maximum operating wind speed for the specific machine. Establish who is responsible for monitoring conditions and making the decision to suspend operations.
Banksman — in areas with significant pedestrian or vehicle traffic, a trained banksman should be deployed to manage movement of the machine and keep others clear of the operating area.
Emergency procedures — document the procedure for recovering an operator from an elevated platform in the event of a machine failure, operator incapacity, or entrapment. All MEWPs have an emergency lowering function — operators and supervisors must know how to use it.
5. Assessor details, signature, and review date
Signed and dated by a competent person. Review the assessment if the machine type changes, if the location changes significantly, or following any near miss or incident.
MEWP pre-use inspection — what to check
The pre-use inspection must be completed before every period of use. For each inspection, check:
Machine condition:
- No visible damage to the chassis, boom, or platform structure
- All access gates and chains in good condition and functional
- Platform floor boards secure and in good condition
- All guardrails in place and secure
- Emergency stop buttons accessible and functional
Controls:
- Ground controls and platform controls both operational
- Emergency lowering function operational
- Foot switch (dead man's switch) operational where fitted
Hydraulics:
- No visible hydraulic leaks
- Hydraulic fluid level within operating range
Tyres/tracks:
- No damage, correct pressure where applicable
- Adequate tread and condition for the operating surface
Safety devices:
- Tilt alarm or cut-out operational
- Overload indicator operational where fitted
- All safety interlocks functional
LOLER certificate:
- In-date thorough examination certificate present on or with the machine
Record the inspection result in writing — even if no defects are found. A blank inspection form with no defects noted is still a legal inspection record.
Download a MEWP risk assessment template — ready in 60 seconds
SafetyPod offers professionally drafted, HSE and IPAF-compliant MEWP risk assessment templates for UK construction — covering the full range of MEWP hazards including overturning, falls, entrapment, overhead services, ground conditions, and weather monitoring, with a LOLER certificate check and pre-use inspection record.
→ Download the Using MEWPs Risk Assessment — £3.99
→ Download the MEWP Inspection Checklist — £3.99
If you also transport MEWPs between sites, you need a specific risk assessment covering loading, securing, and road transport:
→ Download the Transporting MEWPs Risk Assessment — £3.99
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate MEWP risk assessment or does my working at height risk assessment cover it?
Your working at height risk assessment covers the general principles of work at height. A MEWP-specific risk assessment is required because MEWPs have unique hazards — overturning, LOLER requirements, IPAF competency, entrapment — that are not fully addressed in a generic working at height assessment. Most principal contractors expect a MEWP-specific risk assessment as a separate document.
What LOLER examination interval applies to MEWPs?
MEWPs used to lift people require a thorough examination at intervals not exceeding 6 months. The examination must be carried out by a competent person independent of the operator — typically a specialist inspection body. The thorough examination report must be kept available for inspection.
Can an operative use a MEWP without an IPAF card?
Legally, the requirement is competence — not a specific qualification. However, IPAF training is the accepted standard in UK construction and most principal contractors require a valid PAL card. An operative without IPAF training would need to demonstrate competence through an alternative route, which in practice is rarely accepted on managed construction sites.
What wind speed should MEWP operations be suspended at?
The maximum operating wind speed varies by machine — always check the manufacturer's specification for the specific MEWP being used. As a general guide, many MEWPs have a maximum operating wind speed of around 45km/h (Beaufort Force 6). Never exceed the manufacturer's rated maximum wind speed.
Does the pre-use inspection replace the LOLER thorough examination?
No. The pre-use inspection is a visual check carried out by the operator before each use — it confirms the machine is in satisfactory condition for the day's operations. The LOLER thorough examination is a more detailed inspection carried out by a competent independent person at 6-monthly intervals, using specialist knowledge and equipment. Both are required — they serve different purposes.
> Related: MEWP operation is classified as work at height under the Work at Height Regulations 2005. See our complete guide to the working at height risk assessment.
Summary
MEWP use on UK construction sites requires a specific risk assessment covering the unique hazards of elevated work platform operation — overturning, falls, entrapment, overhead services, and ground conditions. Before any MEWP is used, operators must hold a valid IPAF PAL card for the machine type, the machine must have a current in-date LOLER thorough examination report, and a written pre-use inspection must be completed and recorded. A compliant MEWP risk assessment and pre-use inspection checklist are the foundation documents that demonstrate safe MEWP management to any UK principal contractor or HSE inspector.
→ Download the Using MEWPs Risk Assessment — £3.99
→ Download the MEWP Inspection Checklist — £3.99
→ Download the Transporting MEWPs Risk Assessment — £3.99
Written by the SafetyPod team — NEBOSH-qualified H&S professionals with hands-on experience across UK construction, civil engineering, and M&E contracting. All content is written to current HSE guidance, Work at Height Regulations 2005, LOLER 1998, and IPAF standards.
Last reviewed: May 2026