MEWP Inspections

MEWP Inspections – Ensure Safety, Compliance & Reliable Operation

Why MEWP Inspections Are Essential for Your Business

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) such as scissor lifts, cherry pickers, telescopic and articulating booms are vital tools across many industries for safe work at height. However, MEWPs have been linked to numerous injuries and fatalities worldwide—with construction and arboriculture sectors most affected. Reports show rising incidents of mechanical or technical failures causing serious accidents and deaths. Regular, thorough MEWP inspections by trained personnel are the most effective way to prevent these risks, ensuring each machine is safe, operational, and compliant with regulations like PUWER, LOLER, WAHR, CDM, and IPAF.

Conducting routine inspections reduces unexpected breakdowns, protects operators and bystanders, and supports ongoing safe use. Without a robust inspection regime, complacency can set in, and faults may go unnoticed until they cause accidents or costly downtime.

Comprehensive MEWP Inspection Products from HSE Store

At HSE Store, we provide an extensive range of specialist MEWP safety inspection products from Good to Go Safety to support your compliance and operational needs:

• MEWP Safety Inspection Checklists/Check Books – Designed to accompany manufacturers’ manuals, these checklists cover all necessary pre-use and post-use visual checks, helping operators record machine condition clearly and thoroughly. Each checklist has a duplicate copy retained for management records and audit trails.

• Status Tags – Positioned by the MEWP entry point, these highly visible tags display “Do Not Use” until a valid inspection has been carried out. Completed checklists inserted inside the tag confirm inspection date and safety status to everyone on site.

• Tamper Evident Seals – Protect checklist integrity and ensure no unauthorized alterations.

• Information Posters – Remind operators of their inspection duties and promote a safety-first culture.

• Wallets & Storage Boxes – Organise and protect document storage, keeping inspection records safe and accessible.

These products simplify adherence to regulatory requirements, facilitate consistent inspection habits, and provide clear visual communication of MEWP safety status.

Who Should Use MEWP Inspection Products and Why

MEWP inspections are crucial across many sectors and roles, including:

• Industries: Construction, civil engineering, arboriculture, utilities, facilities management, event management, and many others using elevated work platforms regularly.

• Users:

  • Operators: Conduct daily pre-use and post-use inspections to verify machine safety and functionality.

  • Supervisors and Site Managers: Oversee inspection regimes, ensure reported defects are addressed promptly, and guarantee compliance.

  • Health & Safety Advisers: Audit inspection processes and promote operational safety improvements.

  • Maintenance Technicians: Use inspection data to detect trends and schedule necessary repairs or maintenance.

  • Business Owners and Directors: Maintain legal compliance, reduce liability risk, and demonstrate commitment to workforce safety.

Regular inspections foster a workplace culture of responsibility and vigilance, protecting both personnel and assets.

Key Benefits of Using MEWP Inspection Systems

Implementing a structured MEWP inspection process using Good to Go Safety products delivers multiple tangible advantages:

• Improve Safety: Identify faults before use to avoid mechanical or technical failures that could cause injury or fatalities.

• Demonstrate Compliance: Clear, auditable inspection records satisfy PUWER, LOLER, WAHR, CDM, IPAF, and HSE regulatory requirements.

• Reduce Downtime: Early detection of faults prevents unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and operational delays.

• Provide Clear Communication: Status tags offer real-time, visual confirmation of inspection status and safety, eliminating uncertainty.

• Support Asset Management: Duplicate checklist records allow trend analysis, enabling informed maintenance scheduling and replacement decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should MEWPs be inspected?
A pre-use inspection must be done daily or before each shift. Post-use inspections are also recommended. Additionally, routine periodic maintenance inspections by qualified technicians should be carried out as per manufacturer and regulatory guidelines.

2. Who is responsible for carrying out MEWP inspections?
Operators perform daily pre-use and post-use inspections. Routine and major maintenance inspections must be carried out by trained, qualified engineers or technicians. Supervisors oversee the process to ensure compliance.

3. What happens if a defect or fault is found during inspection?
If a safety-critical fault is identified, the MEWP must be immediately tagged “Do Not Use” and taken out of service. The fault should be reported to site management and repairs completed before returning to operation.

4. What records must be maintained for MEWP inspections?
Detailed records of all inspections—including the date, inspector, findings, and actions taken—must be kept for management and audit purposes. Good to Go Safety inspection checklists provide duplicate copies for seamless recordkeeping.

5. Why are dedicated MEWP inspection products better than generic checklists?
Specialist checklists are tailored to MEWP-specific safety points, controls, and components, ensuring nothing critical is omitted. Status tags provide immediate visual status, fostering a safer on-site environment and simplifying compliance verification.

Choose HSE Store’s MEWP Inspection products for dependable compliance, enhanced safety, and peace of mind on every elevated work operation.