A risk assessment before using an elevated work platform is essential for safety

Elevated Work Platforms (EWP) are fantastic tools. They let you reach high spots, install lights, repair ceilings, and save time. But with great reach comes serious responsibility. The first step to staying safe isn’t a fancy maneuver or a clever trick with the controls. It’s a risk assessment done before you power up. The simple truth: the purpose of that assessment is to identify potential hazards. Let me explain how that works in real life and why it matters beyond any checklist.

Let’s set the scene

Picture this: you’ve got a scissor lift or a boom lift ready to go, the floor looks solid, and the weather seems okay. If you leap straight into work, you might miss something small that causes a big problem later—like a loose floor plate, an uneven surface, or a low overhead clearance. A risk assessment asks: what could go wrong on this site? Where could people get hurt? What needs to be done to stop that from happening? The answer helps you plan, adjust, and work with confidence.

The core idea: identify hazards first

The correct answer to “why conduct a risk assessment before using an EWP?” is simple and powerful: to identify potential hazards. This is the foundation on which every safe operation is built. Once you know what could go wrong, you can decide which controls, training, or changes are needed. It’s not just about ticking a box or pleasing regulations; it’s about real-world safety for operators and everyone nearby.

What kinds of hazards show up?

Hazards aren’t always obvious, and they can arise from a mix of the machine, the site, and the task. Here are common categories you’ll want to watch for:

• Ground and surface conditions: soft soil, loose gravel, slopes, pits, or manhole covers. A wobble on the ground can turn a good lift into a risky event.

• Overhead and nearby structures: power lines, cranes, beams, piping, or suspended loads. Contact or entanglement can be fatal.

• Weather and environment: wind gusts, rain making surfaces slick, or sudden temperature swings that affect equipment performance.

• Equipment health: hydraulic leaks, faulty controls, worn tires, or a damaged guardrail. A fault here can escalate quickly when you’re elevated.

• People and site activity: other workers moving around, doorways, or busy corridors. A moving object or an unexpected person can cause a mishap.

• Tasks and load considerations: the weight you plan to lift, the reach you’ll need, and the need to tilt or extend. If the job exceeds what the EWP was designed for, you’ve got a hazard on your hands.

A practical way to think about it is this: hazards are things that could injure someone or damage the equipment if you don’t manage them. Identifying them isn’t about scaring anyone—it’s about getting ahead of trouble.

A simple, repeatable process you can trust

Think of risk assessment as a quick, practical four-step routine you can apply every time you set up an EWP:

1. Identify hazards

Take a moment to walk the site, inspect the equipment, and clarify the task. Look for the kinds of hazards listed above and any site-specific quirks.

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

This is about people—operators, spotters, bystanders, and anyone else in the area. Ask yourself: who could be impacted if something goes off track, and in what way?

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

Does the hazard have a high, medium, or low risk? What controls are already in place, and what else is needed? Controls can be elimination, substitution, engineering fixes, administrative changes, or PPE—often a mix works best.

4. Record, implement, and review

Write down the plan, put it into action, and keep an eye on things. If conditions change (weather shifts, work shifts, or new obstacles appear), revisit your assessment.

Practical controls that save lives (a short starter list)

• Choose the right machine for the job. If the task demands more reach than is safe on the surface, reconsider the approach.

• Stabilize the ground. Use mats or cribbing if the surface is soft, uneven, or unstable.

• Create a safe zone. Mark off a clear area around the lift to keep pedestrians and vehicles at a safe distance.

• Inspect before use. A quick walk-around isn’t just courtesy—it’s life-saving. Look for leaks, worn components, or visible damage.

• Manage overhead dangers. Keep generators, ladders, and other equipment well away from the lift’s operating envelope.

• Check weather and timing. If wind picks up or rain starts, reassess; a delay can be wiser than a reckless rush.

• Plan for communications. Have a reliable means to communicate with the operator and spotters, especially in noisy environments.

• Train and brief. Make sure operators know how the machine works, and that ground crew understands safe distances and signals.

Connect the dots: risk assessment boosts more than safety

You might wonder, does this only tick a compliance box? Not at all. While regulatory adherence is part of the picture, the real payoff is practical: fewer accidents, less damage to equipment, smoother project progress, and a safer workplace vibe overall. When hazards are spotted early, teams can adjust procedures, schedule, and even the layout of the work area to prevent problems before they start.

A few relatable tangents that still matter

• Weather planning isn’t glamorous, but it matters. Morning humidity can hide slippery patches; afternoon sun can cause glare that hides obstacles. A quick heads-up about changing conditions saves headaches later.

• Ground truth beats guesswork. A site check that’s done once is helpful, but conditions can shift—especially on active sites. Regular rechecks help keep everyone aligned.

• Communication is a superpower. A clear hand signal, a radio call, or a simple verbal confirmation can avert near-misses. It’s not about being loud; it’s about being precise.

• Training isn’t optional fluff. Operators should know not just how to use the controls, but how to evaluate the surrounding risk. A well-trained team makes the right call when pressure ramps up.

Common misconceptions worth squaring away

• “We just follow the rules.” Rules do matter, but rules without situational awareness miss the point. The risk assessment is a live tool—kept fresh by observation and experience.

• “Hazards are obvious.” Some hazards hide in plain sight. A slight incline, a temporary obstacle, or a glossy floor can look harmless until it isn’t.

• “This job is quick, so skip steps.” Quick jobs can go wrong even faster. A brief pause to assess can save time by preventing interruptions caused by an accident.

A quick mental model you can carry into the field

• Start with hazards, not hopes. If you can’t find a safe way to manage a hazard, you pause the work.

• Treat risk as a live variable. It shifts with weather, people, and tasks. Recheck as things change.

• Elevate safety mindset, not just equipment. The best outcomes come from a team that talks through risks and decisions together.

Bringing it back to the bigger picture

An effective risk assessment is more than a one-and-done step. It’s a mindset that threads safety into every lift, every setup, and every interaction on the site. When you identify potential hazards early, you lay a solid groundwork for safer operations, smoother workflows, and more predictable project momentum. And yes, that begins with understanding the core idea: the purpose of risk assessment is to identify those hazards so you can address them before the first wheel turns.

If you’re part of a crew that uses EWPs, make this habit non-negotiable. A quick walkaround, a focused discussion with the operator and spotter, and a clear plan for controls can transform risk into reliability. It’s not about fear; it’s about confidence. When you know what could go wrong and you’ve built a plan to prevent it, you’ll feel that calm certainty—like a quiet, steady hum beneath a busy day.

In the end, safety isn’t a single action; it’s a sequence of smart choices. Identify hazards. put good controls in place. Move forward with purpose. And when we do that, everyone—operators, ground crew, and the project as a whole—gets to finish the day on a high note, with work completed and people feeling secure.

If you want a quick refresher, keep these takeaways handy:

• The core purpose of the risk assessment is to identify potential hazards.

• Hazards can come from the ground, the air, the weather, the machinery, or the people nearby.

• A simple four-step approach—identify, assess, control, review—works well in the field.

• Practical controls include choosing the right machine, stabilizing the surface, marking a safe zone, and briefing the team.

So next time you’re about to start an EWP task, pause for that moment of clarity. A good risk assessment isn’t a roadblock; it’s your shield—a smart, practical step that makes safety feel effortless in the moment and invaluable in the long run.