SAFETY ALERT

OVERTURNING OF MEWP/CHERRY PICKER – LIFTING OPERATIONS

The safe working load (SWL) is the maximum load that a MEWP can safely carry and includes the weight of all persons, tools,
and materials. Overloading by exceeding the SWL is extremely dangerous and should not take place. Not only does it damage
the MEWP but can also cause the MEWP to overturn.
2/3/2022

WHAT HAPPENED:
On January 12th 2022 at around 10:30 am, a work party was removing scaffolding from the top of a flow tank using a MEWP
(Mobile Elevating Mobile Platform).

As the MEWP man basket, containing two persons and various scaffolding materials, was being lowered, it became unstable
and began to slowly tip to one side. The two members of the work were uninjured and walked away from the incident.

WHY DID IT HAPPEN:

THE MANLIFT WAS USED OUTSIDE OF ITS DESIGN PURPOSE (LIFTING OF SCAFFOLDING) AND EXCEEDING IT SWL

Based on an estimated load weight of 640Kgs, the MEWP’s tipping point was calculated at a radius of 8mtrs. This radius
was extended beyond 8 meters, which exceeded the SWL and caused the MEWP to tip beyond its balance point.

LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF MEWPS LIMITATIONS FROM WORK PARTY AND SITE TEAMS
The MEWP had been used previously to complete similar activities, with no reported issues leading to complacency.

KEY LEARNING’S:
All lifting operations being carried out within ROO must be in accordance with the latest revision of the ROO Lifting Procedure;
currently ROO-HSE-PRO-0052-Rev 12.

Personnel were unaware of the reduction in capacity due to the boom being lowered and failing to retract the boom during
the lowering process causing the working radius to increase,
• Operators to be aware of reduction of SWL due to increase in boom radius

The Contractor did not act on safety advice from a lifting specialist to utilise a crane for transferring materials and continued
to use the MEWP to lift and transfer equipment.
• Contractor to ensure that the correct equipment is used for the scope of work and proper planning is in place
• The ROO Lifting Team have decision rights over all lifting operations, and work must stop until the lifting teams
have reassessed and approved work to continue.

The Contractor had sub-contracted the MEWP from a third party company, The ATO was found to be counterfeit and the
fit for service inspection was completed by a Company who the ROO LTA. did not approve,
• Contractors are required to ensure that the machines they use are Rumaila compliant. Although the MEWP was
sub-contracted, the main Contractor still has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all equipment complies
with ROO Procedures.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

ROOHSELTA@ROOBASRA.COM
ROOHSEOPSSTL@ROOBASRA.COM

Learn more about the Safe Use of MEWP in the workplace:

Construction - Mobile elevating work platforms health & safety (hse.gov.uk)

REPORT ALL INCIDENTS — A NEAR MISS, UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION TODAY COULD BE AN ACCIDENT
TOMORROW. PLEASE CASCADE THIS ALERT TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND SITE BASED PERSONNEL
 SAFE USE OF MEWP / CHERRY PICKER /
MAN BASKET GUIDELINES

REPORT ALL INCIDENTS — A NEAR MISS, UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION TODAY COULD BE AN ACCIDENT
TOMORROW. PLEASE CASCADE THIS ALERT TO YOUR COLLEAGUES AND SITE BASED PERSONNEL