“Operate with Confidence at Every Level.”

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms training

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) are essential for safely reaching heights in a wide range of industries, from construction and maintenance to warehousing and facilities management. They provide a stable, controlled platform for working at height, significantly reducing the risk of falls compared to ladders or scaffolding. As work at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace accidents, MEWPs offer a reliable solution that improves both safety and efficiency on the job.

How it works….

On the course

At a glance…

6 - 12 delegates

Full day course

No qualifications

PPE required - hard hat, his-viz clothing, safety boots, safety harness - other site specific

This training course is delivered on-site at your location or at a training centre location and typically lasts a day, No formal qualifications are needed to attend, making it accessible to all experience levels. Group sizes are kept small, usually between 1–4/6 depending on categories and practical tests on day delegates, this is to ensure focused, hands-on learning. Delegates are required to bring PPE for this training course

This module sets the foundation by introducing learners to Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)—what they are, how they’re used, and why they’re essential for safe work at height.

Participants will learn:

  • The different types of MEWPs (e.g. scissor lifts, boom lifts, vertical lifts)

  • Typical industry applications such as construction, maintenance, and warehousing

  • The advantages of using MEWPs over traditional access methods like ladders or scaffolding

  • The limitations of MEWPs, including height restrictions, surface requirements, and weather conditions

  • An overview of the key components and safety features of MEWP equipment

By the end of this module, learners will have a solid understanding of where MEWPs fit into workplace safety—and why they play a critical role in preventing falls from height.

Module 2: Legal Responsibilities & Safety Standards

This module dives into the legal framework that governs the safe use of MEWPs, helping learners understand their duties and responsibilities under UK law.

You’ll cover:

  • Key legislation, including the Work at Height Regulations 2005, PUWER, and LOLER

  • The legal responsibilities of employers, operators, and supervisors

  • The importance of following manufacturer guidelines for safe operation

  • The role of HSE (Health and Safety Executive) in regulating and enforcing MEWP use

  • The concept of working in a way that is “reasonably practicable” to reduce risk

By the end of this module, learners will clearly understand what the law requires and how to stay compliant, responsible, and safe while working with MEWPs.

Module 3: Identifying Hazards and Understanding Risks

In this module, learners explore the real-world risks associated with operating MEWPs and how to spot potential dangers before they become incidents.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Identify common MEWP-related hazards, such as poor ground conditions, unstable surfaces, or nearby overhead obstructions

  • Recognise site-specific risks, including weather conditions, pedestrian traffic, or other machinery in use

  • Understand stability issues and how tipping or overturning can occur

  • Apply proper PPE requirements to protect operators and those nearby

  • Take a proactive approach to risk awareness and incident prevention

By the end of this module, learners will be equipped to assess their working environment, identify hazards, and take steps to ensure MEWP operations are carried out safely.

Module 4: Pre-Use Inspection and Safety Checks

Before operating any MEWP, safety starts with a proper inspection. This module teaches learners how to carry out essential checks to ensure the equipment is safe, stable, and ready for use.

Key learning points include:

  • How to perform daily visual and functional inspections

  • What to look for when checking tyres, hydraulics, guardrails, controls, and warning systems

  • The importance of operational checks before starting work

  • How to identify and report faults effectively

  • Why maintenance records and equipment history are critical for compliance

  • Best practices for safe set-up, especially near walls, ceilings, or in tight indoor spaces

By the end of this module, learners will feel confident in spotting issues early and preventing unsafe operations before they happen.

Module 5: Safe Operation and Manoeuvring

This module focuses on the hands-on skills and safety practices needed to operate MEWPs confidently and correctly in real working environments.

Learners will gain an understanding of:

  • How to manually move and position MEWPs safely on different surfaces

  • Proper stabilisation techniques before lifting

  • Safe elevation and descent procedures, including using controls smoothly and responding to platform movement

  • Staying within Safe Working Limits (SWL)—including weight, reach, and height restrictions

  • Best practices when working at height, such as using harnesses if required, maintaining balance, and avoiding overreaching

  • How to respond to emergencies, including use of lowering systems or alerting others

By the end of this module, learners will be ready to operate MEWPs efficiently and safely, with full awareness of how to protect themselves and others on-site.

Module 6: Practical Training and Demonstration

This hands-on module brings everything together by giving learners the chance to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting under guided supervision.

Participants will:

  • Perform pre-use checks and safety inspections on a MEWP

  • Practice manoeuvring, positioning, and stabilising the equipment

  • Safely elevate and lower the platform while maintaining control

  • Complete task-based simulations that reflect common site scenarios

  • Receive feedback and correction from a qualified instructor

  • Take part in a controlled practical assessment to demonstrate safe use and decision-making

By the end of this module, learners will not only understand MEWP safety—they’ll be able to prove it through competent, confident operation.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and confidence to safely operate Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) in any environment. You’ll learn how to:

  • Identify different types of MEWPs and understand their uses, benefits, and limitations

  • Understand your legal responsibilities and how to stay compliant with safety regulations

  • Recognise common hazards and assess site-specific risks

  • Perform thorough pre-use inspections and safety checks

  • Operate, manoeuvre, and position MEWPs safely and efficiently

  • Work within Safe Working Limits (SWL) and apply best practices at height

  • Respond to emergency situations and understand safe lowering procedures

  • Demonstrate your skills in a practical, supervised assessment

Whether you’re new to MEWPs or need formal certification, this course ensures you’re trained, confident, and ready to work safely at height.

Assessment

To complete the course, learners must successfully pass both a theory assessment and a practical evaluation to demonstrate their knowledge and safe operation of MEWPs.

Theory Assessment:

A multiple-choice test covering:

  • Types of MEWPs and their uses

  • Legal responsibilities and safety regulations

  • Hazard identification and risk control

  • Inspection procedures and safe working practices

  • Emergency procedures and platform limits

Practical Assessment:

Under the supervision of a qualified instructor, learners will:

  • Perform pre-use safety checks

  • Correctly manoeuvre, position, and stabilise a MEWP

  • Demonstrate safe elevation, working, and descent procedures

  • Show awareness of surroundings and emergency protocols