Permits, licences, and clear communication are essential before operating an Elevated Work Platform (EWP).

Five essential checks before you raise that elevated work platform

If you’re about to operate an Elevated Work Platform (EWP), you’re standing at a point where safety, training, and teamwork all meet. It’s not just about knowing how to push a button or winch a bucket up a few meters. It’s about making sure every part of the job—permits, licences, and communication, plus a couple of practical considerations—is in place so you and your crew come down safely. Here’s the straightforward lineup that helps you stay on the right side of safety, compliance, and good sense.

Permits: the paperwork that keeps everything above board

Let me explain this plainly: permits are not just bureaucratic clutter. They’re the written approvals that confirm a job can proceed under the specific conditions on your site. Think of them as a safety net that accounts for what’s happening right now—things like ground stability, nearby hazards, weather forecasts, and the presence of other equipment or workers.

What does a permit typically cover?

• Job scope and boundaries: what you’ll do, where you’ll operate, and for how long.

• Site conditions: the ground surface, slope, debris, and any environmental risks.

• Overhead or nearby risks: power lines, building works, and other hazards that could affect an elevated operation.

• Special precautions: weather thresholds, visibility requirements, or the need for a dedicated spotter.

• Pause criteria: when conditions change enough to halt work, and who makes that call.

Why this matters: a permit isn’t a one-and-done form you sign and forget. It’s a living document that guides your day. If the site changes—say a gusty wind picks up, or a crane approaches—you reassess. If a permit isn’t in place or isn’t followed, you’re not just breaking a rule; you’re risking someone’s life.

Licences: the training that proves you’re ready to operate

Here’s the bottom line: licence status isn’t a bragging right. It’s evidence that you’ve received the training needed to handle EWP equipment safely, understand emergency procedures, and respond when things go wrong.

What licencing typically entails:

• Theoretical knowledge: understanding how the machine works, its limits, and the hazards associated with elevated work.

• Practical skills: hands-on operation under supervision, including setup, crane or lift coordination, and safe lowering procedures.

• Emergency procedures: how to respond to faults, power failures, falls, or entanglements.

• Renewal and refresher requirements: ongoing education to keep up with changes in equipment, standards, or site rules.

Why it matters: licence status protects you and your teammates. It’s about competence, not a credential that’s earned once and forgotten. When you’re operating in a real worksite, you’ll often encounter rules that assume licensed operators can handle unexpected situations calmly and methodically.

Communication: the glue that keeps a team coordinated

Communication isn’t glamorous, but it’s fundamental. A clean, reliable line of dialogue can prevent a lot of near-misses before they happen. On busy sites, where multiple people might be moving and lifting at once, crisp signals and understood roles keep everyone aligned.

What good communication looks like on an EWP job:

• Clear hand signals or radio procedures: everyone knows how to call a halt, how to guide a load, and how to indicate danger.

• Defined roles: who operates the platform, who spotters the ground crew, and who communicates with site supervisors.

• Confirmed movement plans: before the platform moves, there’s a quick, agreed plan so no one improvises on the fly.

• Real-time updates: if the wind shifts, if someone steps into the hazard zone, or if an obstacle appears, the team must hear about it right away.

Why it matters: miscommunication is a common thread in accidents. A moment’s confusion can escalate into a dangerous situation in the time it takes to blink. Good communication keeps actions deliberate, timing synchronized, and the whole crew aware of what’s happening, where, and why.

Site realities: risk awareness beyond the permit and the license

Let me add two practical considerations that often get glossed over because they seem obvious, but they’re anything but.

1. Site assessment and hazard awareness

A site isn’t a vacuum. There may be uneven ground, soft earth, trench edges, or floor openings that will challenge the stability and maneuverability of an EWP. Weather plays a tricky role too—rain can slick surfaces, wind can push the platform off its safe operating envelope, and heat can affect hydraulic performance.

A smart approach:

• Do a quick walk-around and talk-through with the team before you power up.

• Note ground conditions, nearby equipment, and lines of movement for people and materials.

• Identify overhead dangers—new cables, suspended loads, and the proximity to façades or scaffolding.

• Have a plan for changing conditions and a clear signal to pause work if things don’t look safe.

2. Equipment readiness and maintenance

Think of the machine as a partner in your work. If it’s not in good shape, you’re both at risk. Daily checks aren’t a chore; they’re a shield.

What to look for:

• Visuals first: leaks, hydraulic hose wear, loose bolts, and damaged rails or tires.

• Control systems: test emergency lowering, alarms, speed controls, and the platform’s leveling.

• Safety devices: guardrails, toe boards, harness points, and ankle-high barriers.

• Power and fuel considerations: battery status or fuel levels, and charger readiness if you’re on a site with limited power.

• Documentation: logbooks or digital records that track inspections and servicing.

Having a straightforward checklist helps. A few quick minutes at the start of the shift can save you hours later, and reduce the risk of a breakdown when you’re mid-task up on the platform.

Bringing it together: a simple flow for safer elevated work

Here’s the through-line many teams rely on:

• Start with permits: confirm that all site-specific authorizations are current, aligned with the day’s plan, and accessible at the job site.

• Check licences: ensure operators are certified for the specific EWP you’re using and that renewals or re-trainings are up to date.

• Establish clear communication: decide on signals, radios, or a mix, and outline who calls what and when.

• Do a quick site read: assess ground conditions, weather, overhead hazards, and pedestrian traffic.

• Inspect the gear: pre-start checks, confirm emergency procedures, and verify that safety devices and alarms are functioning.

If any one piece is missing, the risk rises. Each element reinforces the others, like scaffolding chords in a tight braid. The permit confirms the work can proceed; the licence confirms you’re qualified to do it; communication ensures the plan is understood and followed. Add the site assessment and the equipment checks, and you’ve built a strong, multi-layered safety net.

A few practical tips that help teams stay sharp (without turning safety into a lecture)

• Keep it simple: use short, clear phrases for signals and keep your radio chatter concise.

• Practice quick drills: a few rehearsed emergency procedures pay off when the real thing happens.

• Use real-world examples when talking about risk: “If the wind picks up, we pause” sticks better than generic reminders.

• Reference the manufacturer’s manual: it’s the single best source for specific limits, capacities, and safe operation procedures.

• Foster a safety-first culture: encourage everyone to speak up if something feels off—no bravado, just common-sense caution.

Common myths to dispel

• “We’ll skip the permit if it’s a small job.” Even small jobs can have hidden risks. Permits adapt to conditions, and skipping them invites trouble.

• “Only the operator needs to know how to use the controls.” Operator competence matters, but a well-informed crew—spotters, ground staff, and supervisors—keeps the operation safe from start to finish.

• “Signals don’t need testing.” Signals must be tested and agreed on. Ambiguity invites miscommunication, which is a quick route to danger.

Where to look for reliable guidance

Most sites have a few go-to resources that stay helpful over time:

• The equipment manufacturer’s operator manual for model-specific tips and limitations.

• Your local safety regulator’s guidelines, like the relevant workplace health and safety authority in your country.

• On-site standard operating procedures that reflect your company’s unique risks and workflows.

• Short, well-structured toolbox talks or daily pre-start huddles that recap permits, licences, and communication plans.

Closing thought: safety isn’t a checklist you finish and forget

Operating an elevated work platform isn’t a solo ride. It’s a coordinated effort that blends the legally required permissions with practical training and good old-fashioned teamwork. Permits tell you it’s okay to start, licences tell you who’s qualified to operate, and communication keeps everyone in the loop. Add a careful site assessment and a steady routine of equipment checks, and you create a rhythm that protects people and equipment alike.

So the next time you’re planning an lift, pause for a moment and run through those five elements. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about making sure every move you take up there is deliberate, informed, and safe. After all, elevated work is about getting the job done while keeping feet—and fingers and backs—firmly on the ground where they belong when you’re not up there. And when you finally step back to ground level, you’ll know you did it the right way.

If you’d like, I can tailor this into a compact, on-site briefing card or a short checklist you can print and pin by the lift. A quick, practical set of reminders—without the jargon—that helps teams stay aligned from first raise to final lower.