Before operating an EWP in, around or near fixed structures, a hazard risk assessment must be conducted, and EWP operators must ensure crush risks are eliminated wherever possible. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, the risks must be reduced, so far as reasonably practicable.
Eliminate the risk by doing the task or part of the task on the ground or from a solid base to eliminate the need to use an EWP for the entire task. If the risk cannot be eliminated or is only partially eliminated, the remaining risk must be reduced, so far as is reasonably practicable, by either substitution or engineering controls being put in place.
In the case of substitution – Can the task be done from a different type of work platform which reduces the need for the EWP to manoeuvre around fixed structures? As an example, can a large platform scissor lift or fixed scaffold be used instead?
In the case of engineering controls – Can an EWP with a secondary guard controls be used for the task? Or can a combination of substitution and engineering controls be employed?
If it is not reasonably practicable to use substitution or engineering controls, the risks must
be reduced with other administrative controls, such as: work procedures, training, emergency procedures, the use of a fully trained safety observer, by supervision and familiarisation of the area.
