Safety alert guidance published

A Safety Alert Protocol has been developed by the Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group (SFPSG) MEWPs Group. The Protocol describes a voluntary standard for Safety Alerts issued by contractors and others who have incidents they believe may be related to the design, manufacture, maintenance or use of MEWPs.

It is intended to guide the author of a Safety Alert so that the alert is seen as authoritative and helpful for those that receive it. A standard format is included for the layout and content of Safety Alerts.

Chris Wraith, technical and safety executive at IPAF, said, “Safety Alerts are always issued with good intentions, but sometimes omit key information, which can lead to speculation and over-reaction when they are received. We hope that this Safety Alert Protocol will help the MEWPs industry improve safety whilst maintaining productivity.”

Kevin Minton, director of CPA and chairman of the SFPSG MEWPs Group, said: “This is a great example of hirers, contractors and safety specialists working together to improve communications in the MEWPs sector.”

Major OEMs such as JLG, Genie, Niftylift, Skyjack, Haulotte are all represented on the SFPSG - MEWP Safety Group and they also were involved in developing and approving the Safety Alert Protocol.

The Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group MEWPs Group also has membership from CPA, IPAF, HSE, CITB, BCSA, FASET, SAFed and NPORS, as well as significant representation from major construction companies. It meets twice each year to share information on MEWPs safety, and has set up working groups to produce guidance and address specific issues.