The Role of AI in Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWPs) Safety

A Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWPs) is a powered machine designed to provide temporary access for people and equipment to work at height. MEWPs are integral to various industries, such as construction and manufacturing.

Their ability to elevate workers safely and efficiently makes them essential for tasks that would otherwise require scaffolding or ladders.

MEWPs are versatile and come in various types that serve different purposes in a worksite.

For example, Scissor Lifts are used to extend vertically and are ideal for tasks that require access directly above the platform. It is often used for installing overhead piping or electrical fixtures on ceilings in high-rise construction projects.

Boom Lifts are Mobile Elevating Work Platforms providing both vertical and horizontal reach, allowing workers to access areas that are hard to reach, such as around obstacles. It is ideal on a factory floor for accessing large machinery or installing equipment on high platforms.

Vehicle-Mounted Lifts are MEWP specializing in mobility across different sites. It is quite handy for outdoor maintenance tasks or installations in multiple locations.

Spider Lifts are used indoors or on uneven terrain due to their flexible legs and are used in manufacturing and construction sites for indoor repairs of machinery in tight spaces or on multi-level platforms where maneuverability is crucial.

While the tasks accomplished by these MEWPs seem routine, there are several Mobile Elevating Work Platform Safety concerns associated with it that are constantly looked upon by the EHS teams.

Let’s dive into a recent safety breach in MEWP use that led to fatality!

On November 22, 2024, a worker at a construction site in East Tung Chung, Hong Kong was working on a Mobile Elevating Work Platform. In between his lift, he was trapped between the lift platform itself and the beam overhead. This led to his death due to entrapment when using the Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP).

This raised serious concerns among the Construction Industry Council (CIC) which immediately set out mandatory safety instructions for operating MEWPs on worksites.

Any public works contract whether for capital works or maintenance on or after 29th November, 2024 must have a Secondary Guarding Device (SGD) for MEWP. While it could be in the form of physical barriers or a smart device, but in this world of technology, an AI-powered SGD can be the only best solution.

Before diving into the latest MEWP safety standards, let’s explore the leading causes behind MEWP-related incidents.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are essential for tasks at height but carry significant risks if safety protocols are not followed. Several MEWP safety issues govern the workers engaged in its task.

1. Falls from Height – It is one of the most common hazards in MEWP safety operations which can result from improper use of safety equipment or sudden movements.

Workers may fall due to improper use of guardrails, overreaching, or failing to wear a harness. It must be made sure that workers are tethered to anchor points with properly adjusted harnesses, with no missing barricades during operation to prevent accidental falls.

2. Electrocution – Working near overhead power lines or electrical installations increases the risk of electrocution.

For example, a maintenance worker could accidentally extend a boom into a live wire if safety protocols are not followed. Maintaining a minimum clearance distance from power lines and using insulated MEWPs can significantly reduce this risk.

Additionally, site-specific hazard assessments should be conducted to identify potential electrical threats before starting work.

3. Entrapments – The recent accident in Hong Kong is an example of how entrapments between MEWPs and external structures cause fatal accidents.

This hazard often arises in confined spaces or when operators maneuver without sufficient visibility. Installing secondary guarding devices (SGD) in the form of added physical barriers or smart AI-powered safety management systems that detect proximity to obstacles can help prevent such incidents.

4. Overturns and Collisions – MEWPs can overturn if operated on unstable ground, overloaded, or used improperly. For example, a MEWP might tip over if it is positioned on sloped terrain without deploying stabilizers.

Ensuring the ground is level and stable is critical before operation. Operators must deploy outriggers when necessary and adhere strictly to load limits. Routine inspections and using MEWPs with automatic levelling systems can also minimize the risk of overturns.

Proper load distribution and securing materials on the platform are essential to prevent sudden shifts that could destabilize the equipment.

In busy worksites, MEWP safety is at risk of colliding with other machinery or vehicles, such as forklifts or cranes. This risk is particularly high in manufacturing plants and logistics hubs where multiple vehicles operate in close proximity.

Installing proximity sensors and using AI video analytics can alert operators to nearby obstructions.

5. Mechanical Failures – Issues such as hydraulic malfunctions, brake failures, or sudden power loss can result in catastrophic accidents.

For example, a scissor lift might collapse if its hydraulic system fails during operation. Regular maintenance and thorough pre-use inspections are crucial in identifying potential issues before they become critical.

Predictive maintenance, powered by AI in MEWP safety, can analyze operational data and predict failures, allowing for timely repairs.

Whether it is detecting an obstacle around the Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) or alerting the HSE teams immediately in case of a safety breach, the only modern-day solution that can ensure workplace safety is the use of AI in MEWP safety.

To address the stringent MEWP safety requirements outlined by the Construction Industry Council (CIC), viAct’s AI in MEWP safety solutions provides a comprehensive approach to workplace safety.

It integrates AI video analytics, computer vision, and  Generative AI to use existing CCTVs in the worksite to inspect MEWP operations in real time in the following ways.

CIC recommends thorough risk assessments before any MEWP operation, considering factors like work environment, ground conditions, and platform limitations.

viAct’s AI-powered EHS management software automates risk assessments by analyzing site data through computer vision for hazard detection in its centralized management platform. This technology identifies hazards such as uneven terrain, and overhead obstructions like electric lines, beams, heavy machinery, and nearby equipment in real-time.

Before starting a MEWP task, viAct’s AI in MEWP safety scans the site, detecting potential areas of risk and alerting the EHS team, ensuring corrective measures are taken.

One of CIC’s basic requirements is the risk assessment and detailed safety procedure development. While manual alterations to MEWP safety requirements based on every specific task can be exhausting, an AI-powered safety management system can do it within seconds.

Generative AI, with its large volume of data processing abilities, assists in creating customized safety protocols by analyzing data sets over different periods and sites, compliance regulations, and previous incident reports.

viGent, the conversational AI chatbot of viAct’s AI in MEWP safety facilitates seamless communication of these procedures to the workforce, ensuring they are well-informed and compliant with the latest safety measures.

Worker: “Hey, viGent, today I’m assigned to a maintenance task using a boom lift in Zone A. What are my PPE requirements?”

viGent: “For Zone A, where there are overhead electrical lines and hard structures, here are your PPE requirements:

1. Helmet with Face Shield

2. Full Body Harness with Lanyard

3. Insulated Gloves

4. Steel-toed Boots

5. High Visibility Vest

Make sure the harness is adjusted properly and the lanyard is not too long to avoid reaching dangerous areas near the electric lines. Are you ready for the task?”

Only trained personnel should operate MEWPs. viAct’s Digital Permit-to-Work (ePTW) system verifies operator certification and training in real time.

Before the operation, the AI-powered lifting safety monitoring system cross-checks operator credentials with the specific MEWP model, ensuring only qualified individuals are authorized.

An operator scans their ID, and viAct’s ePTW confirms their training, granting access only if they meet the criteria.

Ensuring no obstacles are near the MEWP is crucial for safe operation. Smart sensors and AI video analytics from viAct AI for MEWP safety monitor the surroundings, issuing warnings if obstacles, such as power lines or overhead beams, are detected.

As the MEWP ascends, AI sensors detect a nearby beam and automatically halt the lift’s movement, preventing a potential accident.

To prevent entrapments, CIC suggests tactile stop devices. viAct goes further by integrating computer vision technology to detect worker proximity to control panels and automatically pause operations if a risk is detected.

For instance, if a worker’s hand approaches a hazardous control area, it triggers an immediate stop, reducing the risk of entrapment.

Adhering to load limits is essential to avoid mechanical failures. Smart load sensors integrated into viAct’s system monitor weight distribution in real time, ensuring the MEWP operates within safe limits.

Say, if the platform approaches 80% of its capacity, the system sends alerts to operators and supervisors, preventing overload.

viAct’s AI-powered MEWP safety management system has developed a new perspective to ensuring workplace safety. It ensures compliance with CIC’s guidelines while proactively mitigating risks, making MEWP operations safer and more efficient across sites.

AI in MEWP Safety helps to detect hazards in real time, ensure proper load management, and trigger real-time warnings for operators and EHS teams in times of danger.

The common risks with Mobile Elevating Work Platform safety include falls from height, electrocution, entrapments, overturns, and mechanical failures, all of which can be minimized with proper training, safety measures, and AI-powered technology.

viAct’s AI in MEWP safety uses real-time AI video analytics, computer vision, and generative AI to proactively detect hazards, ensure compliance, and provide instant alerts, reducing risks and improving operational safety.

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