(MEWPS) for tree work - Urban Access

HSEHealth & SafetyExecutiveUse and effectiveness of mobile elevatingwork platforms (MEWPS) for tree workBill J JonesForest ResearchTechnical Development BranchAe VillageDumfriesDG1 1QBDue to the high number of accidents in the arboricultural industry, the Health and Safety Executivecommissioned an evaluation of the use of Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPs) in such work.A number of different designs were trialed in several different site and tree situations in order toassess:Potential benefits of MEWPs over manually climbing and working in the crownFactors which affect the performance of MEWPs in tree work and to develop guidance on:- the selection of MEWPs for particular types of sites and operations- working practices appropriate for working with MEWPs in arboriculture.The evaluations identified a range of advantages within the areas of; provision of a more safe andsecure working environment, reduced effort of the operator when gaining access to the workingposition and potential increases in effectiveness and efficiency.The trials evaluated the performance criteria of MEWPs which has enabled the development ofguidance on both the selection of MEWPs and working practices for the use of MEWPs in tree work.Output and cost comparisons with manual climbing are also given.This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Itscontents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and donot necessarily reflect HSE policy.HSE BOOKS