UF - A -SG5: Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms in Tree Work

• Prepared by

• Inspection date

  Date
• Location
  Address

2.0 - Planning and Management

• 2.a - Is a MEWP the safest method of undertaking the work at height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.b - Has the work been carefully planned to avoid unnecessary work at height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.c - Are sufficient operators on site to manage the work safely and efficiently?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.d - Is the MEWP operator competent to operate the MEWP being used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.e - Is a competent person immediately available to control work on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.f - Do operators and supervisors clearly understand their roles and responsibilities?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.g - Does everyone on site have the correct PPE and is it in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.h - Is there a site-specific risk assessment that is suitable and sufficient?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.i - Do operators understand the risk assessment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.j - Does everyone on site understand the communication method between aerial<br>operators and ground staff?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.k - Is there a suitable and effective rescue plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.l - Can the specified arboricultural works reasonably be undertaken from a MEWP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.m- Have any additional risks to wildlife been suitably controlled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.n - Is there a method statement to identify the safe system of work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.o - Has the MEWP been thoroughly examined, and have pre-use checks been completed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.p - Are the correct tools available? Are they in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.q - Have all necessary permissions been obtained for the work to be undertaken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

3.0 - MEWP Selection

• 3.a - Does the MEWP have sufficient height and outreach to access all parts of the tree that require work? Do operators know what the MEWP’s working envelope is?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.b - Can the MEWP safely travel across the site to the work area, taking into account any repositioning, width restrictions and variations in ground conditions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.c - Can an adequate drop zone be provided for the cut material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.d Do operators know how to safely secure the MEWP in a transport position for moving to and across the work site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.e Do operators know how to safely secure any extending features such as outrigger legs before repositioning the MEWP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.f - Is there sufficient room on the site to turn the machine to get it into the correct set-up position?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

4.0 - MEWP Set-up

• 4.a - Is it safe to set up the MEWP to undertake tree work in the current weather conditions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.b - Are the weight of the MEWP and the load variations on wheels and other ground-based supports known?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.c - Will the ground type support the MEWP intended for use and any spreader plates used to set it up?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.d - Are plans available to help identify the location and route of underground services on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.e - Have any above-ground utility services been identified and appropriate controls introduced to work around them?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

5.0 - MEWP Use for Tree Work

• 5.a - Do operators know the maximum load for the working platform and understand how hand-held branch removal can affect the load?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.b - Is a safe and suitable drop zone identified to avoid cut timber sections striking any part of the MEWP or other vulnerable targets?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.c - Are safety and drop zones clearly identified and is access to them controlled, with barriers available if required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.d - Is the work planned to avoid working ropes and cut timber sections becoming fouled on any part of the MEWP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

6.0 MEWPs and Highways

• 6.a - Do operators have the necessary permissions to place a MEWP on the public highway?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.b - Is traffic management or a temporary road closure required and in place before setting up the MEWP on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.c - Do you know the maximum load for the road and is the MEWP identified for the work appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.d - Do you understand how MEWP movements affect the weight distribution on the road?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.e - Is a safe and suitable drop zone identified to avoid cut timber sections damaging<br>the road?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

7.0 - Electrical Utility Work on behalf of the Network Operator (NO)

• 7.a - Are operators authorised by the Network Operator to use MEWPs on the network?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.b - Do operators have the required permits from the Network Operator to allow<br>work to start?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.c - Does the Network Operator know exactly where operators are on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.d - Does the MEWP meet the requirements of the Network Operator to allow work in electrically DEAD/ LIVE conditions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.e - Do operators have additional equipment available, e.g. earthing equipment to ensure electrically safe use of the MEWP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.f - Is a safe and suitable drop zone identified to avoid cut timber sections damaging the electrical network above and below ground?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

8.0 - MEWPs and Emergency Tree Work

• 8.a - Do operators have the tree owner’s permission to undertake the work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.b - Has the hazard and risk assessment identified that it is safe to use a MEWP in the circumstances, e.g. adverse weather?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.c - Can the MEWP be set up in a safe area should trees move unexpectedly, e.g. partially windblown trees?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.d - Is there sufficient light to work safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.e - Have any utility services been identified and made safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.f - Is a system in place to exclude third parties from the work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

9.0 - MEWPs and Waterways

• 9.a - Do all operators at risk of falling into the water have a life jacket?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.b - Is there a rescue plan to recover any operators that may fall into the water?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.c - Has the impact of the works been assessed, including how the equipment to be used may affect the watercourse and surrounding habitat?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.d - Have operators got the correct permission for the works?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

10.0 - Emergency Rescue from a MEWP Work Platform

• 10.a - Is there a rescue plan to recover any operators trapped at height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.b - Are competent operators immediately available to participate in a rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.c - Is any dedicated rescue equipment immediately available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

11.0 - Aerial Rescue of a Climber Using a MEWP

• 11.a - Is there a rescue plan to recover a tree climber trapped at height?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.b - Is it safe and efficient to use a MEWP to rescue the trapped climber?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.c - Are competent operators immediately available to participate in a rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.d - Is any dedicated rescue equipment immediately available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

12.0 - MEWP Inspection Regimes

• 12.a - Is a valid record of thorough examination available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 12.b - Have a Pre-delivery Inspection (PDI) and an On-delivery Inspection (ODI) been undertaken for a hired-in MEWP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 12.c - Has the weekly check been undertaken and recorded?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 12.d - Has the operator undertaken daily checks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

13.0 - Operator Proficiency

• 13.a - Is the operator trained and competent in MEWP operation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.b - Is the operator trained and competent in appropriate tree work techniques?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.c - Are operators competent in the use and inspection of PPE?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.d - Are operators trained in rescue and familiar with the site-specific rescue plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

Notes

• Date of observations:

  Date

• Location:

• Observer’s name:

• Signature:

  Sign

• Who is being observed?

• Comments

• Actions:

• Reference:

• Actions completed date:

  Date

• Confirmed by:

• Signature:

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