New safety data reveals the top causes of fatal and major incidents involving powered access equipment across construction sites.
Recent safety reporting has highlighted the primary driver behind fatal and serious incidents involving powered access equipment, such as mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), boom lifts, and scissor lifts on site. Industry data points to falls from the platform, electrocution, and machine overturns as recurring factors when working at height, with operator error, lack of training, and inadequate pre-use ground checks frequently cited in major incident investigations.
The findings emphasize that despite strict site health and safety standards, working at height remains one of the highest-risk activities in UK construction. Ensuring that operators possess valid IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) PAL cards and that equipment undergoes regular thorough examinations under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) remains a fundamental requirement for site managers and sub-contractors alike.
What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for?
For tradespeople hiring or buying access equipment from major plant hire desks or merchants such as Travis Perkins and Brandon Hire Station, this data highlights the need to factor essential safety accessories directly into the total job cost. When sourcing scissor lifts or booms, contractors must budget for certified fall restraint harnesses and short lanyards, which typically add £50 to £100 to standard equipment outlay if not already owned. DIYers and small contractors working at lower heights should evaluate whether hiring a powered access unit is strictly necessary, or if safer, ground-based alternatives such as PASMA-certified mobile scaffold towers or heavy-duty podium steps from Screwfix or Toolstation offer a more controllable setup for simple installation tasks.
Before operating any powered access platform, complete a thorough ground condition check and verify that all operators hold valid certification. Never operate a MEWP on unstable ground or without the correct personal fall protection equipment properly tethered to the designated anchor point.
Reported by Roofing Today — original article
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