subject: What Training Is Needed To Use A Specialist Access Platform? [print this page] Contractors, warehouse workers, energy supply employees, architects, construction workers and industrial maintenance workers are required to complete specialist access platform training courses to learn to safely and effectively use mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) to properly do their jobs. There are required training courses for instructors, managers, supervisors, employees and even salesmen to operate MEWPs and teach others to operate them. The types of equipment include mobile and static booms without and without outriggers, mobile and static verticals, specialist machines, insulated aerial devices and forklifts.
Instructors and those who demonstrate and teach others to operate MEWPs must be properly trained in the administering of first aid, what to do when working with asbestos and how to safely operate a forklift. MEWP Instructor Assessment Training and MEWP Manager Training courses are specifically designed for managers and supervisors so they can properly assess the abilities of instructors to teach others to operate MEWPs and they must also be able to train employees to operate them efficiently and effectively while also meeting all safety requirements. Those who are involved in the sale and leasing of MEWPs must also complete training courses to demonstrate the use of access platforms to customers and employees.
Mobile Elevating Work Platform Training courses are a combination of hands on training and textbook or online training courses that are designed to teach operators to use mobile access platforms while on the job. They may be electricians, construction workers, limb and tree removal employees, carpenters and other types of industrial workers. Employees are trained to properly operate booms and other types of access platforms safely. Training courses include not only how to safely operate mobile elevating work platforms but also must take courses like Preventing Falls, Asbestos Awareness Training, Health and First Aid Training, Forklift Driver Training, How to Safely use Work Equipment, Equipment Inspection and Proper Use of A Harness. Training courses are done on-site by instructors who are trained and certified to teach employees to use MEWPs.
Without proper MEWP training operators may be at risk of losing their jobs or possibly their lives. Employers must adhere to OSHA policies and other state regulated laws that deny the right to operate MEWPs without proper training. The operation of mobile vertical specialist access platforms such as static booms, static vertical platforms and insulated aerial access platforms involves the use of special skills. Safety is above all else the most important aspect of a career in reaching heights that requires the use of MEWPs. Training courses promote safe work habits at different heights. Because there are many different types of platform access equipment, operators, managers and salesmen must be able to effectively operate each one. It is the responsibility of every employer to provide thorough training for managers, instructors, and employees who are required to operate access platform equipment on a day to day basis.
