Ground personnel should receive training on hazards and safety protocols around elevated work platforms

Ground crew and EWPs: why their training is non-negotiable

Picture this: an elevated work platform hums quietly while a worker up top reaches for a light fixture. Below, a ground crew member watches the base like a hawk, radios the operator when a truck veers into the work zone, and keeps everyone from stepping into a hidden trench or a puddle that could turn the day into a slide-and-fall story. The scene sounds straightforward, but it hinges on one crucial thing: ground personnel being trained to spot hazards and follow safety protocols. Without that training, the whole operation loses its safety net.

Why ground personnel matter more than you might think

Ground crew aren’t merely cheering squads or traffic cops. They are the safety hinge that holds an EWP job together. Operators have training to handle the machine, but the machine can’t do its job unless the ground team does theirs—quietly, consistently, and with eyes on the ground. Here’s why their role is so essential:

• They shape the work envelope. Small changes in ground conditions, nearby pedestrians, or approaching vehicles can alter risk levels fast. Ground personnel are the early warning system.

• They coordinate with operators. Clear signals and timely communication prevent misunderstandings that could lead to collisions, tip-overs, or unwanted moves of the platform.

• They enforce safe zones. Barricades, ground guides, and keep-out areas prevent accidental contact with loads and outriggers.

• They respond to emergencies. Quick, practiced actions can mean the difference between a minor incident and a major one.

In short, ground personnel are a safety multiplier. The better they’re trained, the safer the whole job site becomes.

What does the right training actually include?

When we say training on hazards and safety protocols, we’re talking about a practical, site-specific program. It’s not about memorizing a long list of generic rules; it’s about recognizing real risks and knowing what to do about them in the moment. Here’s a closer look at what that training should cover.

Hazard recognition, in real terms

• Electrical hazards: overhead power lines, temporary wiring, and even stray currents in metal structures. Learn to check for clearance and always maintain safe distances—plus know what to do if a line comes too close.

• Ground conditions: uneven soil, trenches, holes, soft ground, or water pooling that could destabilize the EWP footing.

• Weather and environmental factors: wind gusts, rain, heat stress, or icy patches that change how the platform behaves and how the ground crew should act.

• Traffic and site activity: nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and other equipment moving around the work zone. Visibility and separation are your friends here.

• Loads and equipment interactions: consider where the platform will swing, how outriggers will contact the ground, and any attachments that could snag or shift.

Safety protocols that actually work

• Clear signals and communication: learn the official hand signals, radio etiquette, and who starts or stops operations. Consistency prevents miscommunications.

• Establishing exclusion zones: know how to set up and maintain zones around the base, the outriggers, and the swing radius of the platform.

• Proper use of PPE and safety gear: hi-vis clothing, hard hats, safety glasses, non-slip boots, and hearing protection when needed.

• Safe positioning and movement: how to guide the operator to keep a safe path, how to avoid stepping into hazards, and how to manage loading and unloading in constrained spaces.

• Equipment awareness: ground personnel don’t operate EWPs, but they should understand common design features, limits, and what a platform being out of spec might look like.

Emergency procedures and drills

• What to do if something goes wrong: a quick, practiced response to a platform tilt, a sudden engine fault, or a swing in a restricted area.

• Evacuation and rescue plans: knowing the quickest, safest route off the site and who to call for help when a rescue is needed.

• First aid basics for the site: while not a substitute for medical care, basic first aid knowledge matters in the critical minutes after an incident.

• Post-incident reporting: documenting what happened and what was done helps prevent repeats and informs future safety tweaks.

Site rules, standards, and practical tips

• Regulatory touchpoints: safety standards from local authorities or national bodies, plus manufacturer guidelines for the specific EWP models in use. These aren’t “nice to have”; they are the baseline.

• Site-specific hazards: every work site is a little different. Training should adapt to the terrain, weather patterns, traffic flow, and the type of work being done.

• Communication culture: encourage a culture where ground personnel feel empowered to speak up without fear of getting in the way. Clear, respectful dialogue keeps people safer.

How to implement this training without turning safety into a chore

Effective training isn’t a one-off lecture. It’s an ongoing program that stays fresh and practical. Here are some ways teams can keep the training meaningful and memorable:

• Onboarding with a real site in mind: new ground crew should undergo a site-specific briefing, not just a generic checklist. It should cover the particular hazards they’ll encounter and the signals they’ll use.

• Refresher sessions: regular bite-sized refreshers keep safety top of mind without pulling workers away from the job for too long.

• Scenario-based practice: run through simple, realistic scenarios. That could be a sudden gust of wind, a blocked exclusion zone, or a near-miss event. Discussion afterward helps cement the right actions.

• Quick checks and reminders on site: posters, laminated cue cards, or radio reminder phrases can jog memory during the day.

• Sign-offs and accountability: a simple acknowledgement that each crew member understands their role reinforces responsibility and teamwork.

A few practical examples to keep in mind

• A ground spotter notices a branch brushing near a line and communicates a halt until the line is de-energized or relocated. The operator pauses, the crew reassesses, and the work pauses safely.

• On a rainy day, the ground crew evaluates outriggers and base stability more aggressively, adjusting setup or choosing a different approach. The platform still gets the job done, but the margin for error shrinks, so caution leads.

• A pedestrian approaches the formation of the platform while it’s in a raised position. The signaler uses clear, loud hand signals to guide the operator to lower the platform and secure the area before proceeding.

Digression: safety is also about mindset

You’ll hear people say, “Safety costs time.” There’s a grain of truth there, but the real math of safety is different. Proper training saves time in the long run by preventing injuries, equipment damage, and project delays. A well-trained ground crew doesn’t slow things down so much as they keep the work flowing smoothly because everyone knows what to do, who to talk to, and when to pause for safety checks. It’s about continuity, not a trade-off.

A quick note on civilian and site diversity

Work sites vary. The blend of workers—seasonal crews, subcontractors, full-time staff—means training needs to be accessible and understandable for everyone. Keep language clear, use visuals, demonstrate, and invite questions. When people from different backgrounds understand how to stay safe around EWPs, the whole site benefits.

Closing thought: safety starts on the ground

If you’re organizing an EWP job, think of ground personnel as the anchors of safety. Their training on hazards and safety protocols is not just a box to tick. It’s a living, breathing part of every day on site. It helps everyone—from the operator up top to the traffic controller at the perimeter—do their jobs with confidence and calm.

If you’re a supervisor, builder, or safety lead, consider this: how robust is your ground crew’s training right now? Is it grounded in real-site hazards and practical responses? Are there drills that let people practice under pressure without the real risk? A strong grounding in hazards and safety protocols isn’t just prudent; it’s essential for safer work days, fewer close calls, and a team that can handle whatever the site throws at them.

In the end, it comes down to respect for the work and for the people who do it. Training ground personnel in hazards and safety protocols builds that respect into every shift. It makes wiser decisions possible, it keeps lives intact, and it turns an ordinary workday into one where everyone goes home safe and sound.