Safety Check: Tips to Avoid Trip & Fall Hazards

When operating any machine, it’s important to take precautions to reduce the chance of trip and fall hazards. 

Below are 13 tips for avoiding trip and fall hazards while operating mobile elevating work platforms, more commonly known as MEWPs:

1. Before operation, make sure all gates are closed and fastened in their proper position 
2. Confirm the platform assembly is fully lowered
3. Enter only through the gate area using extreme caution 
4. Face the platform when entering 
5. Always maintain three points of contact with the machine (using two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) at all times during entry
6. During operation, JLG requires that all personnel wear a fall/travel restraint system in the platform with the lanyard attached to authorized lanyard anchorage points. Only one occupant per lanyard anchorage point
7. Keep both feet firmly positioned on the platform floor at all times 
8. Never position ladders, boxes, steps, planks or similar items on the unit to provide additional reach for any purpose 
9. Keep the platform's floor and your footwear free from oil, mud and slippery substances 
10. Never exceed the maximum platform capacity as specified on the machine 
11. Keep all loads within the confines of the platform 
12. When exiting the platform, only leave through the gate area using extreme caution and facing the platform
13. And just like entering the platform, when you exit always maintain three points of contact with the machine (using two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) at all times 

Remember these tips for avoiding fall and trip hazards the next time you're operating JLG® MEWPs, which includes boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access lifts and vertical masts. For a quick rundown on best practices for preventing trips and falls when operating a MEWP, check out this JLG® Safety Check video. For more safety tips from JLG, click here.

Did you know JLG Operations & Safety Manuals have all of the essential precautions for your JLG machine outlined? To get guidelines for workplace and machine inspection, as well as learn about dangers and warnings, from trip and fall risks to tipping hazards, search JLG manuals here. 

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