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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 113

K Parmentier – 30 October 2008

Use of Safety Harnesses in MEWP’s

At recent site meetings and audits, some employees have requested clarification as to what
action to take if a mobile elevated work platform (scissor lift) has no suitable anchor position
for the lanyard.

As a company, we have carried out a risk assessment and sent all site operators on an IPAF
Safety harness course so that they are trained as to the use of harnesses and lanyards and
understand the importance of carrying out a visual inspection before using the equipment.

If there is no tested anchor point, it is still safer to connect to the most suitable anchor position
(a handrail or similar), and have a chance of your fall being arrested, rather than not attach
the lanyard and have no chance of fall arrest whatsoever.

For clarification, the MEWP’s that we hire will not tip over if you fall with your lanyard
attached, unlike on a mobile scaffold tower where we advise NOT to wear a harness for this
very reason.

Each of our site employees has been issued with their own personnel harness and lanyard,
and it is each individual’s responsibility to keep them in good condition and to inspect for wear
and tear before use, as per guidance at the IPAF approved training course. If your harness or
lanyard shows any sign of wear, or is damaged, do not use it, do not work in the MEWP /
Cherry Picker, and contact the office immediately.

Please note that our company policy is that the wearing of a safety harness is mandatory
whilst working in a mobile elevated work platform, as is the use of a lanyard connected to the
most appropriate fixing point.

I have taken the opportunity to re-issue Xmo Strata bulletin 12, which was first issued in
September 2005 that illustrates an actual incident on a petrol filling station where an operative
suffered 2 broken ankles as a direct result of not following this guidance.

Being safe depends on the choices we make everyday. The right choices can save lives. We want to
share safety information and help to raise industry awareness. Safety is not about getting one over on
the competition. We need to talk openly, share what we know and make the right choices.

If you have any queries regarding the Safety Bulletin content or require further information please
contact any staff member of Xmo Strata Ltd.