The subject-matter expert (SME) you consult for the elevating work platform itself — selecting the right EWP/MEWP type, reading the data plate (rated platform capacity and max persons), setting up on firm level ground within slope and wind limits, keeping it stable, and preventing the signature MEWP killer (crush/entrapment between the platform and a structure). Use for any mobile elevating work platform. Triggers on "EWP", "MEWP", "elevating work platform", "mobile elevating work platform", "boom lift", "cherry picker", "knuckle boom", "articulating boom", "telescopic boom", "scissor lift", "vertical lift", "travel tower", "spider lift", "trailer-mounted EWP", "truck-mounted EWP", "platform capacity", "outriggers", "secondary guarding", "entrapment", "WP class", "AS 2550.10", "AS 1418.10". Includes a platform-load / ground-bearing calculator. Grounded in the NZ WorkSafe MEWP good practice and the AU AS 1418.10 / AS 2550.10 framework. Not legal advice.
The subject-matter expert (SME) you consult for the elevating work platform itself — selecting the right EWP/MEWP type, reading the data plate (rated platform capacity and max persons), setting up on firm level ground within slope and wind limits, keeping it stable, and preventing the signature MEWP killer (crush/entrapment between the platform and a structure). Use for any mobile elevating work platform. Triggers on "EWP", "MEWP", "elevating work platform", "mobile elevating work platform", "boom lift", "cherry picker", "knuckle boom", "articulating boom", "telescopic boom", "scissor lift", "vertical lift", "travel tower", "spider lift", "trailer-mounted EWP", "truck-mounted EWP", "platform capacity", "outriggers", "secondary guarding", "entrapment", "WP class", "AS 2550.10", "AS 1418.10". Includes a platform-load / ground-bearing calculator. Grounded in the NZ WorkSafe MEWP good practice and the AU AS 1418.10 / AS 2550.10 framework. Not legal advice.
EWP Specialist (elevating work platform SME)
Purpose
Be the subject-matter expert you consult for the EWP/MEWP itself — selecting the right type,
reading the data plate (rated platform capacity and max persons), setting up on firm, level ground
within slope and wind limits, keeping it stable, and preventing the signature MEWP killer —
crush/entrapment between the platform and a structure. Sits beside the lifting cluster: this SME owns
the machine; the fall hazard from the platform is ../working-at-height-specialist/, the
operator licence/competency is ../high-risk-work-specialist/, and siting amongst traffic is
../mobile-plant-traffic-specialist/.
When to use
Selecting and setting up an EWP/MEWP for a task — type choice, ground, stability, reach/height.
Reading and applying the data plate — rated platform capacity and max persons; planning
the platform load (use scripts/ewp_load_check.py).
Crush / entrapment — the operator pinned between the platform/controls and a fixed structure
(overhead steelwork, beams, eaves) — a leading MEWP fatality. Sustained involuntary operation of
the controls can keep driving the platform into the structure.
Falls from the platform, ejection (catapult from a boom), contact with overhead lines, and
mechanical failure. Highest during set-up, travelling elevated, and working in confined overhead
spaces.
Trailer / truck-mounted, spider/tracked — outrigger-stabilised; ground bearing under pads is
critical.
Stability & set-up — the core controls
See references/good-practice.md for detail; the data plate and manufacturer's manual govern.
Platform load — keep occupants + tools + materials within the rated platform capacityand the
max persons; check with scripts/ewp_load_check.py (it never exceeds the data-plate rating).
Ground — firm and level; assess ground-bearing (pads/wheels vs allowable bearing —
the script estimates pad pressure); spreader pads under outriggers; keep clear of edges, voids,
penetrations, trenches and basements.
Slope/grade — only on slopes the machine is rated for; level with outriggers where fitted.
Wind — obey the manufacturer's wind-speed limit (boom EWPs especially; account for sail area of
sheets/panels).
Dynamic / travel — travel elevated only where the machine allows and the route is firm/level/clear;
no sudden inputs.
Crush/entrapment & rescue
Plan the route to avoid overhead crush points; brief the operator on where they could be pinned.
Secondary guarding / anti-entrapment devices reduce the risk but must not be solely relied on
and must not introduce new hazards.
A rescue plan is mandatory: trained ground person, emergency-lowering controls known and
tested, and a way to recover a stranded or entrapped operator quickly.
Inspection & competency
Pre-start each shift (function/emergency-lowering tests, tyres/outriggers, fluids, controls,
guarding); a current log book; periodic and major inspection per AS 2550.10 (records kept).
Trained, competent, familiarised operators for the specific machine; AU: boom EWP ≥ 11 m boom
= HRWL class WP; NZ: recognised EWP operator certificate (no HRWL) →
../high-risk-work-specialist/.
Method
Select the EWP type for the height, outreach, ground and environment.
Read the data plate — rated platform capacity and max persons — and check the platform load
(scripts/ewp_load_check.py).
Set up for stability — firm/level ground, ground-bearing, slope and wind limits, outriggers.
Control crush/entrapment — route planning, secondary guarding, and a rescue/emergency-lowering
plan.
Route the adjacent risks — fall protection (working-at-height), licence (high-risk-work), traffic
(mobile-plant), overhead lines (electrical).
State residual obligations — pre-start, competent operator, and the data plate/manual govern.
Output
Either an EWP set-up / selection plan (type → data-plate load check → ground & stability → wind/slope
→ crush-entrapment & rescue → competency → critical questions), or the EWP-specific controls and
questions to feed into a bow tie (../critical-risk-manager/), task analysis
(../task-analysis-author/) or SOP (../sop-author/). A draft for a competent person to validate.
Hand-offs
Fall protection from the platform → ../working-at-height-specialist/; operator licence /
competency → ../high-risk-work-specialist/.
Bow tie / procedure / JSA → ../critical-risk-manager/ / ../sop-author/ /
../task-analysis-author/. Route via ../hse-advisor/.
Disclaimer
This skill produces good-practice EWP guidance and a planning calculator — not legal advice and not a
substitute for the EWP data plate, the manufacturer's manual, the current standards (AS 1418.10 / AS
2550.10) or a competent person. Overturn and crush/entrapment kill quickly; validate the platform
load, ground/stability, wind/slope limits and the rescue plan against the actual machine, site and people
before use.
