MEWP safety and secondary guarding: IPAF risk priorities for UK project teams
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell
First reported on The Construction Index
30 Second Briefing
Tier one UK contractors planning to mandate secondary guarding on mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) from January 2026 are being cautioned by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) against treating such systems as a stand‑alone control. IPAF notes there is currently no ISO performance standard for secondary guarding, no single system that covers all entrapment scenarios, and inconsistent project specifications creating conflicting demands for OEMs and rental fleets. The federation stresses task‑specific risk assessment, correct MEWP selection, operator training and competent supervision remain the primary controls, especially when working beneath steelwork, in congested areas or while elevating and slewing near structures.
Technical Brief
- Secondary guarding is defined here as devices to prevent basket entrapment against rafters, beams or similar obstacles.
- Current project specifications vary widely, with inconsistent definitions of “secondary guarding” and no agreed performance benchmark.
- Duty-holders are advised to tie any site-specific guarding requirements directly to documented risk assessments and method statements.
- Early engagement between contractors, clients, OEMs and rental companies is urged to clarify technical expectations and legal responsibilities.
Our Take
With IPAF recently issuing its three millionth PAL card across more than 60 countries, any UK-specific secondary guarding requirements from January 2026 are likely to ripple quickly through international MEWP training content and cardholder competence standards.
In our infrastructure safety coverage, the UK Health and Safety Executive tends to be an early reference point for other regulators, so Tier 1 contractor moves on MEWP guarding in the UK may later be mirrored in procurement specifications in Europe and the Middle East.
For UK contractors, aligning MEWP fleets with anticipated 2026 secondary guarding expectations could influence hire-versus-own decisions over the next 12–18 months, especially where older platforms cannot be economically retrofitted to meet emerging standards.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
Related Articles
Related Industries & Products
Mining
Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.
Construction
Quality control software for construction companies with material testing, batch tracking, and compliance management.
CMRR-io
Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.
HYDROGEO-io
Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.
GEODB-io
Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.