1.

0 Introduction
This European Standard specifies safety requirements and measures for all types and sizes of
Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP, see 3.1) intended to move persons to working positions
where they are carrying out work from the work platform (WP) with the intention that persons are
getting on and off the work platform only at access positions at ground level or on the chassis.

Figure 1: Components of Power Driven MEWP

1.1 Classification
MEWPs are divided into two main groups:

Group A: MEWPs where the vertical projection of the centre of the area of the platform in
all platform configurations at the maximum chassis inclination specified by the
manufacturer is always inside the tipping lines. (Scissor Lifts)

Figure 1.1: Group A, Scissor Lift with Tripping Line

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 Group B: All other MEWPs.

Relating to the travelling MEWPs are divided into three types:

Type 1: Travelling is only allowed with the MEWP in its transport configuration.
Type 2: Travelling with raised platform is controlled from a point of control at the chassis.
Type 3: Travelling with raised platform is controlled from a point of control at the platform.

2.0 Terms
2.1 Work Platform
Fenced platform or a cage which can be moved under load to the required working
position and from which erection, repair, inspection or similar work can be carried out.

2.2 Chassis
Base of the MEWP, which may be pulled, pushed, self-propelled etc.

2.3 Stabilisers
Devices and systems used to stabilise MEWPs by supporting and/or levelling the
complete MEWP or the extending structure, e.g. jacks, suspension locking devices,
extending axles.

2.4 Vehicle Mounted MEWP

MEWP where the chassis is a vehicle and where travelling controls are located within the
cab of the vehicle.

2.5 Pedestrian Controlled MEWP

MEWP that has the controls for powered transport located so that they are capable of
being operated by a person walking close to the MEWP.

2.6 Self-Propelled MEWP

MEWP that has the travelling controls located at the work platform.

2.7 Rated Load

Load for which the MEWP has been designed for normal operation and which is
composed of persons, tools and material acting vertically on the work platform.

3.0 Scope of Work

A thorough examination of the equipment shall be carried out as per BS EN 280: 2013+A1-2015.

4.0 Pre-Examination
4.1 Receive the job/ work order for the job having details of equipment and contact person.
4.2 Coordinate with site management, discuss and agree the program of work to be carried.
Effective line of communication with site staff attending the thorough examination.
4.3 Equipment manual, maintenance log book record and previous certificate if any, must be
required for technical verification
4.4 Valid certificate of operator and lifting gears to be used during testing is also
required/verified.
4.5 Checklist and Test procedure should be at hand prior to commencing activity.

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5.0 Site Risk Assessment

5.1 Test area should be roped off and notices posted prohibited unauthorized entry to all
personnel not essential for carrying out the test.
5.2 Check for possible obstruction.
5.3 Wind speed should be observed.
5.4 There should be adequate lightning.
5.5 There should be safe access to the platform.

6.0 Thorough Examination

These shall be thoroughly examined for damage / deformation, distortion, cracks corrosion.
Entire boom structure, telescopic sections, outriggers, super structure main frame, slew ring &
structural attachments of the upper works to be thoroughly examined. Sheaves & drums shall be
examined for cracks wear. Check for excessive wear in boom pivot pins and bushes, referring to
manufacturer’s specification. Ensure boom pin lubrication systems are working. Ensure any
Slew bearings & rollers turn freely.

6.1 All welds and bolted fittings to be thoroughly examined .Where welds are suspect MPI test
to be carried out and report to be reviewed by the Surveyor. Where doubt exists
concerning wastage or corrosion, sample bolts or parts must be removed for further
inspection.
6.2 Rope drums, Equalizer sheaves, rope guides, rope anchors should be checked for wear
seizure, damages;
6.3 Drive motors, Gear boxes, travel shafts, couplings, Travel wheel, steering, locking should
be thoroughly examined.
6.4 Hydraulic / pneumatic cylinders, valves, hoses should be thoroughly examined for leakage
damage, looseness, loss of pressure & malfunctioning.
6.5 Drum, pulleys, Chain drive mechanisms, sprockets if fitted shall be visually thoroughly
examined.
6.6 Lead screws drive system & Rack & pinion mechanisms where fitted shall be visually
thoroughly examined.

6.7 Power Batteries, if available, should be examined for mechanical damages & damages
from short circuits.
6.8 After completion of the inspection a functional examination shall be done on
the Working Platform it is essential that the Working Platform is operated through all
motions to verify efficient safe working and to check hoist, slewing, luffing and travel
motions and the operation of limit switches for over-hoisting luffing, slewing & Tilt sensor ,
effectiveness of the Braking system

6.9 Wire Ropes and Termination

These shall be thoroughly examined as per the Standard for Wire Ropes the relevant work
instruction. Load carrying ropes shall be made from galvanised or stainless steel. Slack
Rope Devices if fitted should be operational.

6.10 Safety Devices

6.10.1 Ensure audible and visual overload warning & limit devices if fitted are operative.
6.10.2 Ensure all limit switches are fitted and operative.
6.10.3 Tilt sensor switches should be checked for correct functioning.
6.10.4 Emergency Override devices & Emergency stop devices should be checked for
correct functioning.
6.10.5 All Safety devices should be fitted inside protected places.
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 6.11 Working Platform Basket / Cage
Ensure that the working platform /cage are structurally safe and sound. And shall be
thoroughly examined for damage / deformation, distortion, cracks corrosion. Guard rails
&opening doors shall be visually thoroughly examined.

6.12 Emergency Lowering System (Standby Power)

Ensure the emergency lowering system provided or the standby power pack provided for
use under emergency conditions is functional. And all the functions to enable the safe
lowering of the persons working on the platform are functional.

6.13 Operation Controls

Ensure all the Primary operation controls, levers /switches on the working platform chassis
and ground level control panel are functional. Ensure that the cut-off switch provided for
prohibiting the use of ground level control when persons are working on platform is
functional. Ensure that the Main switch fitted for cutting of the power supply to all active
conductors is operational.

6.14 Travelling Speed

Using the safety devices the speed of the MEWPs can be limited during out of transport
configuration.
6.14.1 For vehicle mounted the speed is limited to 1.5m/s with controls inside the cabin.
6.14.2 For rail mounted the speed is 3m/s.
6.14.3 For all other self-propelled, speed is 0.7m/s.
6.14.4 Maximum speed for pedestrian controlled MEWP is 1.7m/s.
6.15 Stabilisers
To stable and keep the MEWP within its allowable inclination stabilisers are provided.
These are mechanically operated keeping the MEWP level on ground. There are also
hydraulic operated stabilisers mostly equipped with vehicle mounted MEWPs.

7.0 Marking
One or more durable manufacturer's plates(s) giving the following indelible information shall be
permanently attached to the MEWP in an easily visible place :
7.1 The business name and full address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, his
authorised representative.
7.2 Model and designation of the machinery.
7.3 Serial or fabrication number.
7.4 Year of construction.
7.5 Non-loaded mass in kilograms.
7.6 Rated load in kilograms.

7.7 Rated load given as the allowable number of persons and mass of equipment in
kilograms.
7.8 Maximum allowable manual force in newton.
7.9 Maximum allowable wind speed in meters per second.
7.10 Allowable inclination(s) of the chassis.

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8.0 Load Testing
8.1 Static Test
The MEWP shall be subjected to the maximum allowable inclination of the chassis defined
by the manufacturer plus 0.5 degree with any stabilisers used as specified by the
manufacturer. The test load is applied in least favourable load and force combination. The
test may be carried on level ground if the test loads are re-calculated to include the effects
of the maximum allowable inclination of the chassis defined by manufacturer plus 0.5
degree. The MEWP is considered stable if it remain in its comes to its stationary position
without turning over while supporting the test.

Figure 2 Position of rated load with extended platform

For Group A MEWPs that have platform extension(s) with different rated loads from the
main platform the test load, representing the rated load shall be as defined Figure 2:
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 8.2 Dynamic Test
The MEWP will be loaded to its rated capacity to perform the dynamic test. The MEWP is
moved in both forward and reverse direction to check the stability. The brake is applied in
both forward and reverse movement and the controls must stop the MEWP within the
specified distance and it should not overturn. No permanent deformation should be shown
after removing load.

For Group A, type 2 and type 3 that have platform extension(s) with different rated loads
from the main platform the tests shall be carried out with the loads given below distributed
in the same way on the main platform and extension at the same time.

Figure 3: Dynamic Load test for Group A with platform extension.

9.0 Overload/Proof Load Test

Working Platform to be proof load tested before being put in to use, or after major repairs
/substantial alteration. Proof Load Testing of Working Platform shall be done as described here.

9.1 The test shall be 125% of rated load for powered MEWPs and 150% of rated load for
manually operated MEWPs.

9.2 Overload device will be activated when Rated capacity is reached, warning light with
audible sound shall be activated for 5s after every minute till the load value reached 120%
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 of WLL. For overload test, after checking safety device functioning by pass it to perform
the overload test.

9.3 All movements with the test loads shall be carried out at accelerations and decelerations
appropriate with safe control of the load.
9.4 Several movements of the load shall be carried out with great care and in favourable
conditions.
9.5 The MEWP shall be grounded on level surface.
9.6 The extended structure put into each position creating maximum stress in load carrying
part of the MEWP.
9.7 The braking system must be capable of stopping the MEWP under load within specified
distance while sustaining the load.
9.8 The MEWP does not show any permanent deformation after removal of load.

10.0 Re-Inspection after Load Test

After load test the equipment must be inspected visually to find any permanent deformation
occurred and is perfectly in working condition.

11.0 Reporting
The written report shall contain the following information as minimum.
11.1 Company Identification number
11.2 Type and Description of MEWP
11.3 Maker & Model
11.4 Serial Number
11.5 Year of Manufacture
11.6 Safe working load
11.7 Proof load applied
11.8 MEWP location
11.9 Operating height
11.10 Wire rope dimensions
11.11 Date of test and examination
11.12 Location where test performed
11.13 Name and address of company performing test
11.14 Name and address of owner of MEWP

12.0 Acceptance/Rejection Criteria

Type Of Indication Acceptance / Rejection Criteria
Manufacturer Name Plate Shall be available / readable
Platform Evaluated with visual inspection
Wire Rope Termination U-bolt grip shall not used as termination
Corrosion Not Acceptable
Kink Not Acceptable
Bird Caging Not Acceptable
Overload Switch Shall be in good condition
Moment sensing device Shall be in good condition
Over speed device Shall be in good condition
Emergency Lowering Device Shall be in good condition
Emergency Button Shall be in good condition
Controls Must be Marked and operating accordingly
Load Creepage Not Acceptable
Deformation of body Not Acceptable
Power driven equipment failure to lift 1.25 times its
Load Test
WLL.
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 Manually operated failure to lift 1.50 times its WLL.
Settings shall be triggered at reaching rated load and
Overload Limit Switch keeps giving audible signals at 1.20times WLL.

13.0 Defective Equipment

If test is not satisfactory, a responsible representative of the user shall be informed by means of
engineering report. If the test engineer considers the defect is dangerous in nature then
arrangements must be made by installing a sign ‘out of order’ to ensure MEWP is not used until
remedial work has been done.

14.0 Reference
The inspection procedure is based on BS EN 280-2013+A1-2015.

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