Choosing the Correct Mobile Elevated Work Platform for the Job
The hire of a mobile elevating work platform (or MEWP) is a great option for contractors who do not work at height often enough to justifying owning such specialist equipment. If you are thinking about hiring a MEWP, you will be faced with a variety of different options, including vertical scissor lifts, self-propelled booms, cherry pickers and various mounted booms. The right one for you will depend on a number of factors, including what will need to be lifted and the environment in which the MEWP will be used in.
Planning ahead is the key to making MEWP hire easy and stress free. For example, knowing that you will be lifting large or heavy materials means that you can quickly eliminate MEWPs with booms from your list, as these normally have a smaller basket compartment and a lower lift capacity than other models. In such cases, a scissor lift or crane would be much more appropriate. However, it is advisable to consult the hire company or do some research online to find out what type of MEWP is best suited to the load you plan on lifting.
You should also consider the ground conditions of the area where you will be using the MEWP, as well as available access to the site, as this could well affect the size and style of MEWP you will be able to use.
The operator of the MEWP should be another consideration, as you will either need to select a model that your employees already know how to use, or you will need to invest in some training so that they can learn how to safely use a different model before you hire that type for your workplace.
Ultimately the right type of MEWP depends on numerous factors concerning the work being carried out as well as the environment in which it will be used. However, with a little research and forward planning, selecting the right one will be simple.
