Selecting the appropriate MEWP is crucial for ensuring the safety of operators and those nearby, as highlighted by Tony Deatherage, Service Manager at Snorkel Lifts, a well-known manufacturer of scissor and boom lifts. The right machine is essential for the task at hand.
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Deatherage emphasizes that choosing an inadequate machine can lead to unsafe scenarios, as operators may attempt to make it functional. Additionally, improper equipment use could result in damage to both the equipment and workplace, as well as possible injuries or fatalities to the operator.
According to Scott Owyen, Director of Training at Genie Lifts, it is vital for anyone looking to invest in a MEWP to determine the required type of MEWP. This requires asking some critical questions to ensure the correct equipment is chosen.
'One of the initial questions you should consider is: What is the application? This understanding aids in deciding the machine type needed.'
Once this is defined, several more factors must be taken into account.
1. What height do you need to reach? Knowing the necessary working height is a fundamental criterion for selecting MEWPs, says Owyen. In the U.S., the working height should account for an additional 6 feet to consider the reach of an average worker standing on the platform with arms extended overhead. For instance, the actual working height of a 60-foot boom lift is 66 feet.
2. Are you simply going upward, or do you require both upward and horizontal reach? Determining whether horizontal reach is necessary will help decide whether to choose a telescopic or articulating boom over a scissor lift, self-propelled vertical lift, or push-around personnel lift, which offer minimal horizontal reach capabilities outside any extension decks.
3. If horizontal reach is needed, how far should you extend? Understanding the load you intend to lift and its weight is also crucial for MEWP selection. Platform capacities for MEWPs can range from 300 to over 1,000 pounds. Accurately calculating the total load on the machine is vital to avoid exceeding its rated capacity.
4. What obstacles might be present on the job site? Fixed obstacles like water sources, ditches, or permanent structures highlight the vertical and horizontal reach necessary to access the workspace above, explains Owyen. Articulating booms offer an up-and-over capability to navigate the operator's basket around obstacles in confined work areas. In such cases, the machine's chassis size and maneuverability—like turning radius and steering options—may also play a vital role in accessing the job site.
5. What will you need to lift? This capacity assessment should consider people, tools, materials, and anything else that will occupy the platform. Thus, it’s crucial to identify how many individuals need to be on the platform simultaneously. Different MEWPs offer varied platform sizes and entry points, alongside differing operator and weight capacity ratings that need addressing.
Deatherage also highlights the importance of understanding platform capacity and materials to be handled. For example, masonry projects will demand a higher platform capacity than projects involving lighter materials such as wood or glass.
Owyen points out that knowing the operators' experience and training level is fundamental. This knowledge will guide whether training or familiarization sessions are required before undertaking work.
6. What is the needed range of motion? Understanding the worksite layout is equally as vital as knowing the lifting requirements, emphasizes Owyen.
The operational area accessible by each boom lift is determined by its combined vertical height and horizontal outreach capabilities, commonly termed its range of motion or working envelope, he notes. Range of Motion charts illustrate an arc-like area where boom lifts can operate, overlaid on a graph that clearly shows the machine’s access potential.
7. What exceptional jobsite conditions should be taken into account? This may involve considerations like accessibility, weight limits for support surfaces, minimum stowed dimensions for doorway accessibility, or terrain properties like the capability to operate on grass or sand, he states. Additional considerations could entail noise and emissions regulations.
'Take into account the intended use of the MEWP and the terrain at play,' adds Deatherage. On level or paved surfaces, a slab scissor lift is likely the appropriate choice, but for uneven terrains, a rough-terrain model is advisable.
In addition to these considerations, lift manufacturers offer unique customization options and accessories suited for specific applications, such as material handling or secondary guarding.
To facilitate the process of selecting the appropriate MEWP for your task, Genie offers a detailed MEWP Safe Use Plan, which clarifies the general performance characteristics across different MEWP types.
Training for Operation is Essential
Training is crucial for operator and jobsite safety, notes Deatherage. Due to the dangers associated with elevated work, proper training is vital for anyone operating MEWPs. Insufficient training can result in various accidents, including falls, collisions, or damage to the equipment.
Owyen from Genie states that MEWP operator training is not only a necessity per the ANSI A 92 standards but is also critical for safety.
'Allowing workers to operate MEWPs without proper training can lead to serious injuries, or worse. Thus, it is essential to raise awareness about the regulations in place and available training that not only complies with these standards but also provides operators with the necessary skills to operate MEWPs safely.'
Some manufacturers even provide high-quality operator training, supervisor training, and train-the-trainer programs for MEWPs.
Understanding Different Equipment Classifications
A MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) is designed to lift personnel to elevated work areas for executing tasks safely and effectively. Formerly known as an Aerial Work Platform (AWP), contractors can choose from various models and types, each offering unique benefits.
The simplest way to differentiate machines is by observing whether they possess a boom. Machines without a boom are generally vertical lifts or scissor lifts. Equipment featuring a boom may include mast lifts, articulating boom lifts, telescopic booms, and truck-mounted lifts.
MEWPs are classified into groups and types, as explained by Owyen from Genie. Group classification is based on platform position relative to the tipping line, while type classification refers to travel capabilities.
There are two MEWP groups: Group A and Group B. Owyen clarifies, 'Group A machines are designed so the main platform can’t extend beyond the tipping line, meaning the platform remains within the driving chassis envelope.' A scissor lift exemplifies a Group A MEWP.
'On the other hand, Group B machines are designed to allow the platform to extend beyond the tipping line. An articulating or telescopic boom serves as a prime example of a Group B machine.'
MEWP types are further classified into three categories:
- Type 1 MEWPs move only when in a stowed position.
- Type 2 MEWPs can be traveled with the work platform elevated, controlled from a point on the chassis.
- Type 3 MEWPs permit travel with the work platform raised, with controls located on the work platform itself.
An example of a Type 1, Group A (1A) MEWP is a manually propelled vertical lift, while trailer-mounted booms serve as examples of Type 1, Group B (1B) MEWPs. Under-bridge inspection machines represent a Type 2 MEWP.
A Type 3, Group A (3A) MEWP is typified by an electric or rough terrain scissor lift, with articulated and telescopic booms categorized as Type 3, Group B (3B) MEWPs.
MEWP aerial lifts form an essential component of any contractor's fleet. To avoid unnecessary stress and costs incurred from choosing a lift that misaligns with the project's needs, understanding the distinctions between aerial lift groups and types is paramount.
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