A MEWP can arrive on time, be the right machine for the reach, and still be unable to work safely if the site is not ready. Knowing how to prepare MEWP sites before delivery prevents avoidable delays, protects people on the ground and gives the operator the conditions needed to carry out the job properly.
For site managers and contractors, preparation starts well before the platform reaches the gate. The key is to consider the complete operation: delivery, unloading, travel to the work area, set-up, the task at height, and a safe exit at the end of the shift. A quick look at the work face alone is not enough.
Start with the right MEWP for the work
Site preparation is easier when the platform has been selected for the actual conditions, rather than reach height alone. A boom lift may provide the outreach needed to work over an obstacle, while a scissor lift is often a practical choice for straightforward vertical access on firm, level ground. A tracked spider lift can suit restricted access, soft ground or sensitive surfaces, but may need more careful planning for its stabilisers and travel route. Lorry-mounted platforms can offer rapid set-up where road access and positioning allow.
Confirm the working height, horizontal outreach, basket capacity and any restrictions created by the building, trees, services or surrounding traffic. Also consider the platform’s overall dimensions, weight, turning requirements and ground pressure. A machine that can physically enter a site may not necessarily be able to reach the required position safely.
Where the choice is unclear, provide the supplier with photographs, measurements, a site plan and a clear description of the task. Honest guidance at this stage can prevent a costly change of machine once work is due to start.
Check ground conditions before a MEWP arrives
Ground assessment is one of the most important parts of preparing a MEWP site. The ground must be capable of supporting the machine throughout delivery, travel, operation and, where fitted, stabiliser deployment. Do not assume that tarmac, paving, grass or compacted-looking ground is suitable simply because vehicles have crossed it previously.
Look for soft verges, recently backfilled trenches, drainage runs, cellars, basements, culverts, manholes, service covers and voids. Ground can weaken after heavy rain or frost, and an area that supported a vehicle last week may not be suitable for a loaded access platform today. Slopes, cambers and uneven surfaces also need to be assessed against the machine manufacturer’s permitted operating limits.
For machines using outriggers, establish the required spread and ensure every outrigger position is on suitable ground. Spreader pads or suitable mats may be necessary to distribute load, but they are not a solution for unknown ground or concealed voids. The right arrangement depends on the machine, load, surface and ground assessment.
Keep the planned route equally clear. Check gates, narrow passages, kerbs, ramps, overhead canopies and changes in level from the entrance to the work area. If a tracked platform is crossing paving, lawns or internal floors, confirm that both the surface and any structure beneath it can take the imposed load.
Plan delivery, unloading and positioning
A reliable delivery depends on more than providing a postcode. Tell the hire team about site opening times, booking procedures, security requirements, delivery restrictions and the available turning area. In London and other busy locations, access may be affected by timed restrictions, controlled parking zones, road closures or limited space for a delivery lorry to wait.
The unloading area should be level, controlled and separated from pedestrians, passing vehicles and other site activities. Arrange for a competent person to receive the machine, direct the delivery if required and confirm the agreed position. Avoid asking drivers or operators to make last-minute decisions around live traffic or congested work areas.
If the MEWP must work from a highway, pavement or public area, establish the necessary permits, traffic management and pedestrian controls in advance. The responsibility for this will depend on the project arrangements, but it must be clear before the equipment is booked. A platform cannot be positioned safely if barriers, permits or traffic control are still being arranged after delivery.
Identify hazards above, below and around the platform
MEWP work changes the risk picture as the platform rises. Survey the whole operating envelope, not just the point where the work will be carried out. Overhead lines require particular care. Keep the equipment, occupants and any materials well clear, and seek advice from the network operator where work may approach electrical infrastructure.
Other overhead hazards include building projections, steelwork, signs, lighting columns, tree branches and roof edges. These can create entrapment or crushing risks, particularly when a boom is manoeuvred close to a structure. Plan the route of movement in the air as well as on the ground.
At ground level, create an exclusion zone around the operating area to manage falling-object risks and prevent people walking beneath the platform. Barriers, signage and a clear route for pedestrians are usually more effective than relying on verbal warnings alone. Review nearby operations too: crane movements, forklift routes, concrete pumps, deliveries and reversing vehicles can all affect safe use.
Wind is another site condition that should not be left to chance. Check the machine’s maximum permitted wind speed and consider local effects around tall buildings, open elevations and exposed sites. Gusts can be stronger at platform height than at ground level. Stop work if conditions exceed the manufacturer’s limits or make the task unsafe.
Make responsibilities clear before work begins
A MEWP is safe only when the people involved understand their role. The operator must be trained, familiarised with the specific machine and authorised to use it. The site team needs to know where it will operate, how the exclusion zone will be maintained and who has authority to stop the work if conditions change.
Before the shift starts, make sure the following points have been covered:
- the planned work area, travel route and safe set-up position;
- ground condition findings, including any marked no-go areas;
- overhead services, nearby structures and changing weather conditions;
- pedestrian and vehicle segregation, plus any traffic-management controls;
- communication arrangements between the operator, banksman and work team; and
- the emergency lowering and rescue plan.
A rescue plan deserves more than a line in a risk assessment. If an operator becomes unwell, the platform is stranded, or a person is suspended in a harness after a fall, the site needs a realistic response. Identify who will act, what equipment is available, how emergency services would gain access and how quickly the person can be recovered. Calling for help is necessary, but it is not a complete rescue plan.
Carry out daily checks and keep the work area controlled
Once the MEWP is on site, the operator should complete the required pre-use checks in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and site procedures. These checks help identify damage, leaks, control faults, tyre or track issues, safety-device concerns and other defects before work starts. Any fault that could affect safe operation must be reported and the machine taken out of use where appropriate.
The operator should also reassess the work area during the day. Ground can become saturated, barriers can be moved, deliveries can block the route, and new trades may enter the exclusion zone. Preparation is not a one-off document completed at the gate. It is an active process that continues while the platform is in use.
For operated hire, a certified operator brings valuable machine knowledge, but site control still matters. The site must provide accurate information, suitable conditions and coordination with other activities. Good communication between the project team, operator and hire provider is what keeps the plan workable when the job changes.
Prepare early, then keep talking
The best MEWP sites are rarely the most complicated. They are the sites where access, ground, hazards and rescue arrangements have been dealt with early, and where everyone knows the plan before the platform is raised. If conditions are uncertain, ask for technical advice before delivery rather than trying to solve a site problem under programme pressure.
A properly prepared site gives the operator room to work, protects the people around the machine and keeps access work moving when the schedule matters most.
