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For projects involving working at height, a risk assessment should be completed to determine the appropriate equipment and provide guidance on inspection. This risk assessment should also be provided to contractors before any work commences. Selection of the equipment should take into account a range of factors such as ground conditions, duration and frequency of use and additional risks posed by use, installation and removal of the work equipment.

Equipment used for lifting people such as MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms), cherry pickers, booms and scissor lifts must be marked accordingly and safe for such a purpose, i.e. all necessary precautions have been taken to eliminate or reduce any risk. Where appropriate, lifting equipment (including accessories) should be thoroughly examined before it is used for the first time and at least six-monthly or at intervals laid down in an examination schedule set by a competent person. All examination work should be performed by a competent person; and following a thorough examination or inspection of any lifting equipment, a report is submitted by the competent person to the employer to take the appropriate action.

A pre-work inspection should also be carried out daily before each use of the equipment and this recorded.

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Relevant Legislation:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 (as amended by SI 1994 No 2063)
• Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Working at Height Regulations 2005
• Construction Design & Management Regulations 2007