In Manufacturing, MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Manufacturing teams in Ireland use MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) in Manufacturing: where the risk lies
A planned shutdown where maintenance crews access overhead conveyors and services that are impossible to reach during production. MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) are suited to reaching height quickly and safely where the ground is suitable, especially for maintenance, installation and access work, but in a Manufacturing setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)
Before any Manufacturing worker uses MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), confirm that:
- Pre-use function checks of controls and emergency lowering
- The rescue and emergency-lowering plan is understood
- The platform, gates and guardrails are intact
- The harness and lanyard (where required for booms) are in date
The relevant standard here is EN 280, operated by IPAF-trained and card-holding operators, thoroughly examined every 6 months.
Common MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) faults to never ignore
- Untrained operators
- No rescue plan for entrapment
- Overreaching from the basket
- Operating on soft or sloping ground
Permit-to-work systems should tie work-at-height tasks to lock-out/tag-out so no one is working above live machinery.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
Here is the good news: getting compliant is fast and inexpensive. Our Working at Heights Course is delivered fully online, takes about 45 minutes, and issues a downloadable certificate the same day. It is CPD certified, RoSPA approved and QQI aligned, and it is written specifically for Manufacturing teams using MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms).
The Working at Heights Training covers the avoid-prevent-minimise hierarchy, ladder and stepladder safety, MEWPs and scaffolds, harnesses and anchor points, and how to carry out a proper risk assessment. Every learner finishes with a recognised Working at Heights Certificate that stands up to HSA inspection and supports your insurance position.
Training that goes beyond the tick-box
Competence is not the same as experience. A worker who has used ladders for twenty years can still carry twenty years of bad habits. Refresher training matters for MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) in Manufacturing precisely because confidence drifts away from the rules over time, and a quick refresher resets it.
Documentation is what turns good practice into proven compliance for MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) in Manufacturing. Keep your risk assessment, your method statement, your equipment inspection logs and your training records together, and an HSA visit becomes a short, calm conversation rather than a drawn-out investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Do Manufacturing workers need training to use MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)?
Yes. Safe use of MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Manufacturing tasks.
How often should MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) be inspected?
Before every use by the operator, plus formal recorded inspections to the relevant standard. Keep the logs for HSA inspection.
Is online training enough for Manufacturing height work?
Our online Working at Heights Training covers the legal and safe-system knowledge; equipment-specific practical tickets (such as IPAF or PASMA) are added where the task requires them.
Get certified today
Do not wait for an HSA inspection or a near miss to act. Manufacturing teams can complete the Working at Heights Course online in 45 minutes and download a certificate the same day. For 10 or more learners, see our team training rates, or contact our team for a tailored quote.
Start the online Working at Heights Training now and put a recognised certificate in every worker's file before the next job at height begins.
