EWP Safety: If you're responsible for an Elevated Work Platform (EWP), you must ensure the following:

• Inspections, maintenance, and repairs are performed by qualified individuals.
• Experience and training levels of qualified individuals are documented.
• Various inspections, maintenance, and repair tasks may be assigned to different qualified individuals based on their competency or necessary independent assessments.
• Conduct regular inspections according to Australian Standards or the manufacturer's specifications.
• Keep records of all inspections.

Competent Person

A competent person is someone qualified to perform inspections or tasks for safety measures, possessing the necessary knowledge and skills acquired through training, qualifications, or experience. This includes familiarity with relevant Australian Standards, codes of practice, and legislation.

For daily and routine inspections of EWPs, a competent person can be a trained worker who uses checklists and operator manuals. For annual or major inspections and repairs, the competent person is typically the manufacturer, an engineering tradesperson, or a professional engineer. The complexity of the task dictates the required skill level.

Examples of Engineering Tradespersons:

• Agricultural or heavy vehicle mechanics
• Diesel fitters
• Fitters and turners with mobile plant experience
• Light vehicle mechanics with mobile plant experience
• Boilermakers for structural and welding inspections or repairs (Note: a 3E welding certificate is required for welding on structural components).

Inspection Types, Frequency, and Recordkeeping

Types of Inspections for EWPs:

• Pre-operational or daily checks
• Routine and pre-harvest inspections
• Annual or third-party inspections
• Major inspections

These inspections should follow the guidelines in the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual. Maintenance and repair records must be kept, especially for major structural repairs, with documentation from the manufacturer or a competent person.

Selecting an EWP

When selecting an EWP, consider:

• Operating environment
• Frequency of use
• Loading requirements

These factors will influence the inspection and maintenance schedule and level of detail needed.

Pre-operational or Daily Checks

Operators should complete pre-operational checks before using the EWP, keeping records and reporting any faults. These checks ensure the EWP is ready for use and include a quick review of the items listed in the checklist or as recommended by the manufacturer or competent person.

The checklist and procedure for pre-operational checks should be part of the operator’s training, with variations for different EWP models discussed. Records of this training must be maintained.

Pre-operational checks of an EWP

Note: Routine inspections should be carried out at no greater than three month frequency. Inspections should be more frequent for EWPs operating in a continuous daily manner or under harsh conditions.

Routine and Pre-Harvest Inspections

The frequency of routine inspections should be based on how often and how severely the EWP is used and may include servicing tasks like oil and filter changes. Inspections should occur at intervals not exceeding three months unless the EWP has been out of service.

For example, if an EWP is stored during the off-season, it should be inspected before being put back into use. EWPs used in harsh conditions or continuously may need more frequent inspections. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance manual for specific guidelines.

Routine inspections might not require major component disassembly, but covers and guards should be removed if they block access to parts needing inspection, lubrication, measurement, or adjustment. These covers must be replaced before the EWP is operational again. Routine inspections should be more thorough than daily checks and include:

• Normal servicing
• Tasks specified by the manufacturer, such as:
  • Lubrication of pins and bushes
  • Measurement of free play in pins and bushes
  • Adjustment of leveling rods and linkages

Use the routine and pre-harvest inspection checklist as a basis for these inspections. Completed checklists should be kept as records of routine inspections.

Annual or Third-Party Inspections

Annual or third-party inspections are conducted by an independent automotive or engineering tradesperson to ensure the EWP is safe for continued use. These inspections may include non-destructive testing (NDT) like crack testing to detect structural faults not easily visible. The need for NDT depends on the EWP’s usage frequency and model history. If a particular model is prone to developing cracks in specific areas, NDT may be included in the annual inspection.

If your workshop staff service and inspect your equipment, implement a policy designating who performs annual EWP inspections. Keep records of their training, experience, and qualifications. This designated person should not normally operate the EWP and must have the authority to:

• Request an EWP for inspection
• Withdraw an EWP from service if repairs are needed

The following is an example of an annual or third party inspection checklist (DOCX, 0.39 MB).

Major inspections

Major inspections are a strip, thorough inspection and re-build of the EWP at the end of the design life. The design life should be 10 years as stipulated by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1418.10:2011 Cranes, hoists and winches – Elevating work platforms. The manufacturer will have specified the frequency of use and severity of loading when considering the design life requirement of the standard. Major inspections should be conducted in accordance with the criteria in AS 2550.10-2006 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms.

Major Inspections and Recordkeeping

If actual use and loading exceed the original design specifications, a major inspection may be needed before the ten-year mark. This inspection must include a detailed report outlining the work done, assessment methods used, and the qualifications of the individuals involved.

Example: Continuous use at 95% of rated capacity may necessitate a major inspection sooner than ten years.

Annual inspection histories help determine when a major inspection is needed, indicating when significant mechanical and structural repairs are frequently required for a particular model. For instance, if a model typically needs crack repairs on the boom base and chassis after eight years, a major inspection might be recommended at seven years.

Major inspections should include:

• Disassembly of all mechanical components for measurement and necessary replacement
• Examination of all structural components for cracks, corrosion, and damage

Refer to the manufacturer for further inspection details and component specifications. Alternatively, seek advice from a professional engineer. Replacement components and fittings must match the manufacturer’s specifications or be equivalent in material and design. Consult the manufacturer or a professional engineer before making any modifications.

Recordkeeping Requirements

The responsible person should maintain records for the following periods:

• Pre-operation checklist: one year
• Pre-harvest and routine inspection and maintenance: life of the machine
• Third-party mechanical and structural inspections: life of the machine
• EWP operator training: duration of employment