As a business, Eazi Access has an unwavering commitment to safety, and have partnered with reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) JLG, Linde Material Handling & Manitou to deliver safe equipment to the various industries it operates within. Maintaining the highest standards of safety is an important focus area of the business, and it dedicates a significant amount of time and resources to participating in and contributing to the institutions that guide its industry. It is a legal requirement that any Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) operator is fully trained with the correct licence before operating a MEWP. According to Craig Thomas, Eazi Access Group Technical Manager, “Safety is our number 1 value and is primary in everything we do. As such we have partnered with world class OEMs who have the same values when it comes to equipment safety.” Before operating a MEWP it is important for the machine operator, to complete these five safety checks:

1. Workplace Inspection

Before and during operation, MEWP users must take precautions to avoid all dangers in the work area. This includes a check of the work area for overhead hazards, such as electric lines, bridge cranes and other potential overhead obstructions. Check the operating surfaces for holes, bumps, drop-offs, obstructions, debris, concealed holes, etc. Make sure that the ground conditions are adequate to support the maximum tyre load, which is indicated on the tyre load decals on the machine’s chassis, adjacent to each wheel. It is important not to travel on unsupported surfaces. Finally, check the work area for hazardous locations. The machine should not be operated in hazardous environments, unless approved by the OEM for that purpose.

• Pre-Start Inspection

Before turning on any MEWP, a pre-start inspection of the machine should be conducted to ensure that the machine is safe to operate. It will also help to uncover any discrepancies with the machine that indicates maintenance services are needed — catching small issues early before they result in unscheduled downtime and expensive repairs. This type of inspection includes, but is not limited to, the following items:

• Cleanliness – Check all surfaces for leakage, debris, slippery substances and/or foreign objects.
  • Structure – Inspect the machine’s structure for dents, damage, weld, or parent metal cracks, as well as any other discrepancies.
    • Platform Gate – Verify the gate closes properly.
    • Lanyard Attach Points – Check the condition of all authorized lanyard anchorage points.
  • Decal & Placards – Check all for cleanliness and legibility, make sure none are missing. Clean or replace as needed.
  • Battery – Charge as required.
  • Fuel – Add the proper fuel, as necessary.
  • Engine Oil – Make sure the oil level is at the full mark on the dipstick.
  • Hydraulic Oil – Check the hydraulic oil level, add as required.
  • Walk-Around Inspection – Perform as instructed by the machine’s Operations and Safety Manual. (See point 3 below for more information.)
  • Function Check – Following the walk-around inspection, perform as instructed by the machine’s Operations and Safety Manual. (See point 4 below for more information.)

A pre-start inspection should also include a check to make sure that all safety devices are operating properly, as well as a check for modifications to the machine’s components. It is important at this point to verify that any modifications on the machine have been approved by the OEM to avoid safety violations. If the machine is equipped with accessories and/or attachments, please refer to the machine’s Accessories section in the Operations and Safety Manual, or look at the accessory installed on the machine, for specific inspection, operation, and maintenance instructions.

• Walk-Around Inspection

Access equipment gets a lot of use throughout the work week, and things do happen — items get damaged, cracked or worn out. These discrepancies may start out small, and may not even be noticeable at first, but over time, as they get bigger, they could affect the safe operation of the machine. Taking time each day to do a 360-degree walk-around of the machine will help locate these discrepancies as soon as possible. The walk-around needs to include a thorough, visual inspection of all the machine’s critical components, including (but not limited to) the chassis, engine compartment, electrical connections, scissor stack or boom assembly, control systems and stations and so on, prior to operation. A machine’s Operations and Safety Manual is the best resource to consult on how to conduct a proper walk-around inspection.

• Function Tests

Once the walk-around inspection is completed, perform a function check on all the machine’s systems to make sure they are operating properly. These should be done in an area free of overhead and ground level obstructions. Function tests are performed by the equipment operator from the machine’s ground console, then from the platform control console and with the machine in stowed position — always refer to the machine’s Operations and Safety Manual for specific tests to complete.

• Complete Required Service & Maintenance Tasks

For the safe use of MEWPs, machines should not be operated until all the inspections and functional tests have been performed as specified. By not performing pre-operation to do’s, equipment owners and operators could easily be overlooking some obvious, or even serious, machine problems. If during any of these inspections or functions tests the machine does not operate properly, it should be shut down immediately and reported to proper maintenance personnel. A MEWP should not be operated until the machine has been declared safe for operation. That means that any service and maintenance required should be done, according to the machine’s Service & Maintenance Manual before the machine is operated again. While these are important machine safety tips, it does not exclude the machine operator from performing customer and site-specific safety checks. “Our customers can have their own operators trained in line with industry standards and manufacturers’ specifications, or we can provide readily available, trained Eazi Access operators to work on-site. We have an extensive footprint across the country and a growing presence throughout sub-Saharan Africa. With the largest and most diverse fleet of equipment, backed up by an expansive and experienced network of skilled technicians, Eazi Access is committed to continually driving safety as its core value. Whether our operators or our customer’s operators, it is important to ensure everyone operates within safe guidelines, ensuring they return home safely to their families, every day”, explained Thomas.