Generate a UK-structured RAMS for MEWP, scissor lift and cherry picker use. Covers ground assessment, IPAF operator competence, harness vs. restraint, rescue plan and overhead hazard controls.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a harness needed in a scissor lift?
- In most cases no — a scissor lift platform with full handrail protection is itself the fall-arrest, and a harness can introduce trip and ejection hazards. A boom requires a full-body harness with a short adjustable lanyard used in restraint mode (or fall-arrest where the manufacturer specifies). The RAMS records the rationale either way.
- What does the rescue plan need to include?
- The rescue plan must be platform-specific and operative-specific. It covers ground-controls operation, secondary lowering systems, alternative rescue (e.g. another MEWP), and the time-critical issue of suspension trauma if a fall occurs from a boom. A generic 'call the fire service' answer is not acceptable.
- How is overhead clearance handled?
- The RAMS records minimum clearances to overhead services (per ENA G39 for powerlines), and to fixed structures where the operator could be crushed. For confined overhead environments, secondary cut-out devices (e.g. SkySiren) are recorded.
- Can the same RAMS cover multiple machines on one job?
- Yes — the asset register section lets you record several machines, their LOLER thorough-exam dates, and the operator assigned to each. The risk assessment applies across the operation.