DIVISIONAL HANDBOOK

Safety Health & Risk

Flat Products Controlled Document on day of Print only 9/09/2019

TITLE: OPERATING and WORKING with ELEVATING WORK PLATFORMS

(EWP’s)
_______________________________________________________________________________
PREPARED : G ELPHICK AUTHORISATION: MICK CASSAR
CHECKED : W CROKE
REG'N : HH MANAGER SAFETY HEALTH AND RISK
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

1.0 PURPOSE

This procedure provides the rules and safety guidelines for persons Operating and Working with
Elevating Work Platforms (EWPs) within BHP Flat Products - Port Kembla site.

2.0 SCOPE

The procedure applies to all personnel, BHP and Contractors, operating and working with Elevating
Work Platforms (EWPs) within BHP Flat Products - Port Kembla site.

3.0 REFERENCES
Note: One page safety coach and audit sheet is available for this procedure
Ref: DS- DIV-OHS-01-08.3 - Working with Elevating Work Platforms (EWP’s)

This standard:-
· DIV-OHS-01-04 - Working at Heights and Below Policy.
· DIV-OHS-06-206 - Authority to Work System
· DIV-OHS-01-10 - Working on Live Equipment
· DIV-OHS-01-13 - Tagging and Barricading Regulations
· DIV-SE-04-01 - Conditions of Entry for Mobile Equipment
· AS2550.1 - 1993 - Cranes - Safe use - Part 1 General Requirements.
· AS2550.10 - 1994 - Cranes - Safe use - Part 10 Elevating Work Platforms.
· AS1418.1 - 1994 - Cranes (Including Hoists and Winches) Part 1 General
Requirements.
· AS1418.10 - 1987 - Cranes (Including Hoists and Winches) Part 10 Elevating
Work Platforms.
· Occupational Health and Safety Law - New South Wales Vol 2 Construction
Safety Regulations “Reg 133A Appliances Near Overhead
Elect Apparatus”.
· Occupational Health and Safety Law - New South Wales Vol 2 Construction
Safety Regulations “Reg 135B Requirements for Elevating
Work Platforms”.
· EWP Safety Check & Routine Maintenance Logbook - Hire & Rental Association
of Australia Elevating Work Platform Division 1996.
· Code of Practice for Elevating Work Platforms - Elevating Work Platform
Association of Australia.
· Elevating Work Platform Card (EWPC - Operators Card) -Elevating Work
Platform Association of Australia.

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 1 OF 6
 DIVISIONAL HANDBOOK
Safety Health & Risk

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4.0 DEFINITIONS
Approved Safety Harness
A full body harness of the parachute style with single lifeline at the top dorsal position in accordance
with AS 1891.
Anchorage Point
A secure point of attachment inside the EWP platform to which an approved safety harness with
lanyard with energy absorber fitted shall be secured to prevent the user from falling and/or to minimise
the impact load should the user fall.
Authorised EWP Operator
An Authorised EWP Operator can be a BHP or Contractor employee trained in the operation of
Elevating Work Platform. See section 5.3 of this procedure.
Elevating Work Platform (EWP)
A telescoping device, scissors device, or articulated device, or any combination thereof used to position
personnel, equipment and materials at work locations above or below the base support surface.
EWP Logbook
An EWP Safety Check & Routine Maintenance Log Book is supplied with each machine on hire and
must remain with the machine at all times. It is to record equipment details, safety checks, routine
maintenance, any faults and actions taken. It is to be filled in initially by the EWP Owner or
representative before hand over to the BHP Flat Products - Port Kembla site and then by the
Authorised EWP Operator at the commencement of each work shift or change of Authorised EWP
Operator.
Lanyard
A line fitted with an energy absorber used to connect an approved safety harness to an anchorage point
in situations where there is a risk of a free fall.
Operations Superintendent/Department Superintendent
The BHP Flat Products - Port Kembla site Officer responsible, as owner, for the overall management of
a production unit or service facility.
Plant Supervisor
A person responsible for day to day operations of an area as the owner’s representative and accredited
to the requirements of this procedure by the Operations Superintendent and gives “Authority to Work.”
Site Supervisor
The person who co-ordinates the work within an area and accredited to the requirements of this
procedure by the Operations Superintendent and invites the Service Provider on site to do the work.
This person would normally to be the maintenance plant owner for the area.
Service Provider
Are persons who supervise and carry out the work to be done and who receive an ATW. They can be a
contractor or an employee of BHP Flat Products - Port Kembla site.
Platform
That portion of the equipment on which persons stand and carry out assigned work.

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 2 OF 6
 DIVISIONAL HANDBOOK
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5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Condition of entry of EWP’s onto BHP Flat Products Site.
All Elevating Work Platforms shall have a current “Permit to Operate” issued by the Crane Inspection
Section.

If no permit available the EWP is NOT to be used and the Crane Inspectors department is to be
notified immediately.
Refer: DIV-SE-04-01 “Conditions of entry for mobile equipment.....” Document.

5.2 Planning the Work

Before commencing work the Service Provider is to report to the Site Supervisor.
Note: The Service Provider may be a contractor with an truck mounted boom EWP or an employee of
BHP who is the Authorised EWP Operator.

The Site Supervisor shall ensure the workplace and access to the workplace are safe and an
appropriate authorisation has been obtained from the Plant Supervisor prior to commencing any work.

Safety precautions such as the isolation of relevant equipment (where possible) and/or the erection or
placement of barriers, rail stops and signs must be taken to control access into the EWP work place.
For example: Consideration shall be given to operating plant equipment, overhead cranes, fork lifts,
rail vehicles or other mobile equipment or vehicles working in the area.

When positive isolation and/or the erection of barriers, rail stops and signs is not possible then an
authorised procedure is required as per Working on Live Equipment.
Refer: DIV-OHS-01-10 Working on Live Equipment

The Authority to Work System shall be followed to ensure a safe place of work. Refer: DIV-OHS-06-
206 Authority to Work Document

Before using an EWP the Site Supervisor shall ensure the Logbook has been filled in by the Authorised
EWP operator, as defined in the logbook.

Environmental Reminder:- Approval to use of a self propelled (petrol/diesel motor driven) EWP
within a building, especially with poor ventilation, shall be approved by the Plant Supervisor before
commencement of entry into that building.

5.3 EWP Operator Training

Only Authorised EWP operators shall operate an EWP ie.
Operators of boom type EWP’s that elevate less than 11 metres and Scissors Lifts need only be
Non Certificated operators where their competency is based by testing and demonstrated ability to
correctly operate the unit to the satisfaction of a Qualified trainer. An “EWPC - Yellow Operators
Card” shall be issued from the trainer and must be available at all times on the job.

Owners and operators of boom type EWP’s that elevate 11 metres or more shall be trained as
Certificated operators where their competency is based by testing and demonstrated ability to
correctly operate the unit. An “Accreditation certificate” shall be issued by NSW WorkCover.

5.4 The Authorised EWP Operator’s Responsibility

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 3 OF 6
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An EWP Safety Check & Routine Maintenance Log Book is supplied with each machine on hire and
must remain with the machine at all times. It is to record equipment details, safety checks, routine
maintenance, any faults and actions taken.
Note:- It is to be filled in initially by the EWP Owner or representative before hand over to the BHP
Flat Products - Port Kembla site and then by the Authorised EWP Operator at the commencement of
each work shift or change of Authorised EWP Operator.

Operators shall not operate a malfunctioning or unsafe EWP. The operator shall stop work
immediately and notify the Site Supervisor who will contact the EWP supplier or Mobile Equipment
Department to repair and test the unit before being brought back into service.
Note:- There is a section within the logbook to detail problems found by the operator and a area for
signing off by the supplier that repair actions have been completed.

Whilst working above, the EWP Operator shall ensure all unauthorised persons are to be kept clear of
the work place.

Care shall be taken when working with an EWP in close proximity to an electrical apparatus so as to
ensure a minimum safe clearance be maintained , as follows:-

· Less than 132,000 Volts - 3 metres clearance.

· 132,000 to 330,000 Volts - 6 metres clearance.
· Greater than 330,000 Volts - 8 metres clearance.

Occupational Health and Safety Law - New South Wales Vol 2 Construction Safety Regulations “Reg
133A Appliances near overhead electrical apparatus states:-

“An “electrical apparatus” means:-

a) Any live aerial electrical conductor, whether bare or covered with insulating material.

b) Any machine, transformer, switchgear equipment or fitting in which there are live conductors used
or designed for use for the conveyance of electricity, being bare conductors or conductors which are
not effectively covered with insulating material or effectively guarded by either fixed barrier or a
fixed metal shield, but does not include any electrical apparatus where a difference in potential
between its conductors, or to earth, does not exceed 32 volts.

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 4 OF 6
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5.4.1 Safety Harness

An approved safety harness shall be worn at all times whilst in a boom type EWP with the lanyard
attached to an anchorage point provided for this purpose within the work platform. The anchorage
point should be at the operators feet.
Note:- Safety harnesses are not necessary on other types of EWP‘s unless a hazard assessment
indicates that they should be worn for risk control purposes. ie. on a scissor lift work platform.

5.4.2 Entering or leaving EWP platform whilst elevated.

Personnel shall not enter or leave the platform whilst elevated, except in an emergency, unless each of
the following conditions are met:

· risk analysis shows that this alternative means of access is safer than all other alternative means
of access;
· platform of EWP to be secured to structure;
· base controls of EWP tagged to indicate the equipment is in use and to caution against
interference;
· a dual lanyard system shall be used and
· work carried out to a safe working procedure approved by the Operations Superintendent.

5.4.3 Safe working with an EWP

Operators shall maintain both feet on the platform floor whilst carrying out work.

Loads that do not exceed the SWL (safe working load) may be carried in the EWP platform but not on
the outside the safety handrails.
Note:- Should it be necessary to handle awkward loads, ie replacement of windows, whilst working
with an EWP then a written work procedure shall be supplied by the Site Supervisor and authorised by
the Plant Supervisor prior to commencement of work.

Never use an EWP as a crane, ie lifting, lowering or moving loads except as for its designed purpose.

Materials, tools or equipment should be placed or secured correctly to prevent them sliding or falling
from the EWP platform.

5.4.4 Safe operation of an EWP

Never operate an EWP on soft or uneven surface.

Do not elevate the EWP in winds greater than manufacturers recommendations (max 45 kph.) Note: -
In any windy condition, good judgement is recommended.

Travelling with the platform elevated must only be carried out at creep speed or less than 1km/hr.

Do not drive an EWP with the platform elevated except on hard even ground.
Note: - Before travelling or moving the EWP ensure the boom is centrally positioned in line with the
direction of EWP travel.

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 5 OF 6
 DIVISIONAL HANDBOOK
Safety Health & Risk

Flat Products Controlled Document on day of Print only 9/09/2019

Authorised EWP Operator shall ensure an observer is in position when the Operator view is
obstructed.

Never disable or modify a foot switch or any other device on the EWP.

Read and obey all warning signs and limitations of the EWP.

6.0 REFERENCE PERSONNEL

Prior to amending this procedure, refer document to:-

Plant Engineer Gas Processing.
Manager Safety Health and Risk.

7.0 DOCUMENTATION

Nil.

REVISION NO. : 3 REFERENCE: DIV-OHS-01-04.2

ISSUED : NOVEMBER 2001 PAGE 6 OF 6