Although falls from height are the most common cause of death in construction, the number of such accidents is falling, and the use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), such as scissor lifts and cherry pickers, has been a major factor in that, says HSE.

However, a number of fatal and serious accidents are currently under investigation by the Executive where operators have become trapped between the guardrails or other equipment on the platform and buildings or other obstructions outside the platform.

Many of these accidents have happened in construction and HSE have issued a safety notice to publicise the issue. New guidance on this aspect of MEWP safety and use has been issued by the Construction Plant Hire Association. Both the safety notice and the guidance can be accessed from the HSE website at the address below.