Elevated Work Platform (EWP) Training

Scissor lift, boom lift, cherry picker, vertical mast and aerial work platforms

EWP training is required by WorkSafe for all operators, and it must be refreshed every three years to get an EWP licence or EWP operator's certificate. The modules include identifying and managing various hazards found on worksites, the regulations around documentation, permits and maintenance, how to choose the right EWP for the job, how to transport the EWP, and best-practice operation for all types of EWPs.

Produced by experienced trainers at TR Driver Training, this EWP course has the benefit of decades of EWP experience behind it. The other advantages of doing your elevated work platform course with DT are:

• Easy scheduling - you can access the course when you want, rather than having to book weeks in advance and taking a whole day off-site
• Video-based learning to demonstrate best practice, with interactive tasks to help reinforce the knowledge, and questions to ensure the trainee has understood it
• Better learning - many studies have shown that e-learning in small bites gives a 20-60% better retention rate
• More efficient - no distractions or interruptions like you could have in a classroom scenario
• Consistent - it's delivered the same way every time (nothing is forgotten)
• Learn at your own pace - if the trainee doesn't understand the material the first time, it can be watched again and again
• Easy management and reporting - managers and supervisors can track training progress.
• The course is divided into easy-to-follow modules that take just a few minutes each. Trainees have access to the course materials for 6 months.
• After successfully completing the course, the trainee can download an operator's certificate and ID card.

Who is this course for?

• EWP operators in any industry
• Supervisors and managers who need to understand best practice operation
• Tradies and contractors who rent EWPs for specific jobs
• EWP technicians and mechanics

FAQs

I send my EWP operators for training at an external company. Isn't this the law? No, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and WorkSafe's Mobile Elevating Work Platforms Best Practice Guidelines are very clear: You can conduct training however you want, as long as it covers the items under section 6.1 General Training in the Best Practice Guidelines, and section 6.2 Getting to know your MEWP. It recommends working at heights training, too (section 6.4), and explains this must be repeated every three years (section 6.3). Training can be delivered by any means (in person, video, written materials, etc), as long as the material is delivered by a competent person and meets the standard.

The HSWA2015 says that you must follow these guidelines or do it a better way. 

What standards must the training meet? AS2550.10: Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use – Mobile Elevating Work Platforms. 

Are unit standards compulsory? No. the Best Practice Guidelines say they are one way of demonstrating competency, but are optional.

Do I need an NZQA number for this course? No, it's not a unit standard course. Unit standards are optional, but if you have them already, you don't need to do them again.

I have a new operator who has never used an EWP before. Can they do this course to become qualified? They can use this course to learn the theory, but they must have supervised practice with someone who is competent. We have included a practical assessment checklist that should be completed to ensure competence. Once this is successfully completed, it can be submitted in order to generate the operator's certificate.

What machinery does this course cover? Self-propelled scissor lifts and boom lifts, vertical mast lifts, trailer-mounted cherry pickers, truck-mounted aerial work platforms. We show a range of machines, primarily from Genie, JLG and Snorkel. The general safety rules around EWPs are mostly the same regardless of the make and model. We highlight the differences where relevant.

How long is the certificate valid for? Three years, as per WorkSafe's requirements.

What happens if you fail the course the first time? The course can be repeated as many times as is necessary within the 6-month access window.

Can I use this course as a working at heights course? EWP training is just one part of a working at heights course; this course doesn't cover everything you need from a working at heights course.

What documents and templates are included in the course? A practical assessment checklist which includes a pre-start check and job safety analysis sheet, a separate alternative job safety analysis sheet, 2 examples of specification sheets to use with the course, EWP study guide, MEWP Best Practice Guidelines (WorkSafe), Hazard Assessment Checklist (WorkSafe), sample pre-start inspection (WorkSafe), sample rescue plan.

What is the content of each training module? (You can see the modules listed below)

• What is an MEWP? Outlines what machines are and are not classified as MEWPs
• Parts of an MEWP: Demonstrates the parts on a boom lift and scissor lift, and what they do
• Qualifications and how this course works: Explains a trainees requirements for operating an EWP in terms of qualifications required
• How to understand the MEWP's specifications: Runs through two specification sheets (scissor lift and boom lift) and explains what each item means
• Picking the right MEWP: Gives a set of questions to ask when evaluating what your job will required
• PPE: Demonstrates lanyards and fall protection, plus minimum other PPE
• Documentation and permits: Explains what documentation and permits the MEWP needs, plus what you might need when working
• Hazard management and job planning: Explains how to deal with hazards in relation to scheduling and completing the tasks
• Types of hazards: Goes through all hazards an EWP operator will likely experience
• Specific hazards: wind and electricity: Reinforces the two most dangerous hazards separately
• Transporting MEWPs: Shows how to load various MEWPs to light and heavy trailers
• Pre-start check: Explains where to find it, how to follow it, and why specific parts of the check relate to much bigger safety issues
• Shutting down your MEWP: safe shutdown in an appropriate place, plus how to report faults
• Accidents: what to do if it happens
• Calculating the weight: how to understand the SWL and how much you can carry in various examples
• MEWP controls and operation: controls for boom lifts and scissor lifts
• Logbook, maintenance and manual: requirements for keeping these current, and what to do
• Legal frameworks: legislation around MEWPs.

Requirements

• You will need one course licence per person taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple operators
• You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training.
• You must take a practical assessment at the end of this course. A responsible person in your company (e.g. a manager, supervisor or experienced EWP operator) can follow the guide in the practical assessment module and conduct the practical assessment Using an external assessor will incur an additional cost. The practical assessment is detailed which makes the practical assessment very straightforward. Contact us if you need more information.

You get access to the course for a full 6 months which means your operator can take a couple of months to finish the modules and can come back to it as a refresher anytime until the course access expires - this is great if you need to do any remedial work with them. 

Set up is free whether you are purchasing one course licence or a hundred course licences.