IPAF welcomes updates to British Standards on MEWPs

The British standards for Mast Climbing Work Platforms (MCWPs) have also been updated. The new British Standards (BS) 8460 and 7981 supersede the 2005 and 2002 versions respectively, which are withdrawn.

Some of the main changes to BS 8460 include enhanced guidance on risk management, loading and unloading machines, understanding new safety features and fall prevention during maintenance to machines. There is additional guidance on warning symbols and annexes in the standard on self-familiarisation and rescue plans.

The new MEWP standard takes into account the BS EN 280, which specifies design calculations, construction standards, stability criteria, safety, examination and testing requirements and was drawn up with the participation of HSE representatives and based on feedback from IPAF and its members.

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Rupert Douglas-Jones, Technical & Safety Officer at IPAF, comments: “It became apparent to IPAF and our members that the existing BS 8460 and BS 7981 hadn’t been updated for well over a decade and as a result the changing nature of the industry and the technical and safety guidance had somewhat overtaken the standard published.

“Following extensive feedback and consultation we are pleased that important considerations such as risk management, loading and unloading, modern MEWP safety measures, decals and warning stickers, familiarisation and rescue plans have all been included in the new standard for MEWPs."

BS 8460 is a full revision of the standard, and includes the following key changes: 
• New safe use recommendations taking into account the latest edition of BS EN 280;
• enhanced recommendations for the risk management process;
• new sub-clauses concerning the loading and unloading MEWPs and for operating MEWPs near sources of electromagnetic radiation in telecommunications;
• added recommendations for identifying the implications of new safety features on machines, such as telematics, data-logging, load sensors and machine security;
• new recommendations for the prevention of falls while carrying out maintenance on the machine chassis/structure, the prevention of entrapment, and the operation of secondary guarding;
• changes to reflect recent legislation, eg the Construction Design and Manufacturing (CDM) Regulations 2015, and the replacement of HSE guidance CIS 58 with GEIS6;
• references to various guidance documents from the Strategic Forum for Construction, Plant Safety Group on ground conditions, medical fitness to operate construction plant, avoiding trapping/crushing injuries, and inspection and thorough examination;
• new definitions for "primary guarding", "secondary guarding", "user" and "deck-riding";
• new informative annexes giving guidance on symbols for MEWPs, machine modifications and CE marking, and controls in addition to the platform controls; self-familiarisation; and giving an example of a rescue plan hierarchy.

Tim Whiteman, CEO of IPAF, adds: “IPAF is delighted to see the launch of these new British standards, which every rental company and contractor should now review. These latest versions will make a positive contribution to safe operation and ensure MEWPs and MCWPs remain the safest ways of conducting temporary work at height.”

New audit regime for UK rental members

Powered Access rental companies that are existing or future members of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) now have to pass a more stringent vetting and auditing process in the UK.

From September 2017, all IPAF’s current and prospective rental company members begun the process of submitting to a new annual audit procedure and on successful completion of the process will be accorded IPAF Rental+ status. The accreditation will be maintained through an annual site visit.

The existing IPAF Rental+ scheme allows members to achieve bronze, silver or gold accreditation dependant on them meeting certain key criteria during their audit process. IPAF’s Rental+ scheme recently became Safety Schemes In Procurement (SSIP) accredited, so SSIP status is also conferred on all UK rental member companies as a matter of course under the new system.

Existing IPAF rental members in the UK will have until September 2019 to comply.

The audit is designed to provide a management tool to signpost where and how businesses can improve their health & safety, quality and environmental performance, add recognised value to rental businesses and reduce time and cost spent completing other pre-qualifying questionnaires.

It also supports or leads to ISO9001, 14001 and 18001 certification. Outside of the UK, the IPAF Rental+ accreditation remains open to IPAF rental members internationally.