Two reasons to hire a person with an EWP licence to operate EWPs on your building site
EWPs (Elevated Work Platforms) such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts are routinely used on many building sites. This type of equipment offers construction workers a stable base from which to carry out tasks at a height. Here are two reasons why only those who hold valid EWP licences should be permitted to operate EWPs on a building site.
They'll be far less likely to make a potentially fatal mistake
In order to obtain an EWP licence, a person needs to go on a training course which teaches them how to operate EWPs safely as well as how to identify the hazards that could put them at risk of being involved in an accident whilst using this equipment.
At the end of the course, they must then successfully pass a test which proves that they fully understand the course materials and training they have received. Only then will they be given their license.
In short, it is safe to assume that a person with an EWP licence knows exactly how to avoid or mitigate the risks associated with using this type of equipment and as such, will be far less likely than an unlicensed person to make a potentially fatal error whilst operating an EWP.
For example, they will know not to attempt to move a cherry picker along a patch of unstable or sloped ground when another construction worker is standing inside the elevated boom (as this could result in the worker being thrown out of the boom onto the ground).
Likewise, they will be better able to spot and avoid any environmental hazards that could cause them or other members of the construction crew to be injured (such as an overhead electrical line, for instance, which could lead to them being electrocuted if they drive the EWP into it).
They'll be able to keep the equipment in good working order
Those who have gone on EWP training courses to obtain an EWP license will be very well-versed on the importance of thoroughly pre-inspecting the equipment before using it. They will also have been taught how to identify the signs of faults within the machinery.
This knowledge means that they will be able to identify and address defects before these defects evolve into major mechanical or electrical faults that could lead to the premature failure of the equipment.
For example, if they spot a leak in the cherry picker's hydraulic hoses, they could arrange for this to be repaired before they begin to use the equipment.
This, in turn, would prevent the hydraulically-powered boom from collapsing to the ground (and being destroyed by the force of this impact) whilst the machinery is in use.