Group C: Elevating Work Platforms
EWPA knowledge areas
Group C covers scissor lifts, boom lifts and trailer-mounted platforms. You must know the pre-use inspection, the platform's rated capacity and wind rating, the difference between indoor and outdoor use, ground condition and slope limits, the use of outriggers and spreader pads, harness and anchor point requirements, and the emergency lowering procedure. Understand the tilt alarm, the overload sensor, and the exclusion zone beneath the platform.
Traps in questions
Common distractors: climbing out of the platform at height, standing on the mid-rail or using a ladder inside the basket, exceeding the wind rating, or moving a boom lift with the platform raised on uneven ground. Another trap is harness use: in a boom lift, a full-body harness with a short lanyard attached to the designated anchor is required; in a scissor lift, guardrails are the primary protection and harness use follows the manufacturer and site rules. Also expect questions on the emergency descent: know the manual lowering procedure and that only trained persons operate it.
Worked example
A boom lift rated for 230 kg and a maximum wind speed of 12.5 m/s is needed outdoors on a breezy day. If the anemometer reads above the rating, the correct action is to lower the platform and stop work - not to reduce the load and continue.
Rule of thumb
Set up on firm, level ground with outriggers and pads as specified, check the wind and load limits, and never exit the platform at height.