Working at Height Safety Flashcards

What does the abbreviation MEWP stand for?

Answer: Mobile Elevated Work Platform

MEWP stands for Mobile Elevated Work Platform, a category that includes scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and boom lifts used to raise workers to height.

Which qualification body specifically covers the erection, alteration, and dismantling of mobile access towers?

Answer: PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers' and Manufacturers' Association)

PASMA provides the industry-recognised training and certification specifically for mobile access towers that are assembled from prefabricated components.

How often must a working platform, from which a person could fall 2 metres or more, be formally inspected under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: Before first use, every 7 days in use, and after any event that could affect stability

Working platforms from which someone could fall 2 metres or more must be inspected before first use, at intervals not exceeding 7 days, and after any event likely to have affected their stability.

When must work at height cease on site?

Answer: Whenever conditions, including adverse weather, make it unsafe to continue

Work at height must stop whenever conditions make it unsafe, such as high winds, ice, lightning, or poor visibility — any worker can stop work if they believe it is unsafe.

What is the main purpose of a permit-to-work system for high-risk working at height activities?

Answer: To provide formal authorisation and control, ensuring safety measures are in place before work starts

A permit-to-work system is a formal management control that ensures all necessary safety precautions are identified, in place, and communicated before hazardous work at height begins.

What is the minimum height of a top guardrail on a working platform under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: 950 mm above the working surface

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 specify that the top guardrail must be at least 950 mm above the working surface to provide effective edge protection.

What action must a worker take if they find a ladder on site that appears damaged or defective?

Answer: Tag it as defective, remove it from service, and report it to their supervisor

A damaged ladder must be immediately taken out of use, clearly tagged to prevent others from using it, and reported to the supervisor for repair or disposal.