Introduction
Working at heights is one of the most dangerous tasks in any workplace. One in four workers is injured on the job working at heights. However, it’s not just your safety that’s at risk. Your employer also has legal obligations to ensure you are operating an elevating work platform (EWP) safely and responsibly. An EWP course teaches you how to spot safety hazards before they cause injury or damage and inspect your work site for potential dangers before starting any project using an EWP machine. Completing an EWP course can also help you learn first aid and CPR techniques in case someone falls from a high point while using an EWP—something which happens surprisingly often, considering how many people operate them every day!
An EWP course teaches you how to spot safety hazards.
An EWP course teaches you how to spot safety hazards. You’ll learn how to avoid, report, and handle them. This will help keep you and your coworkers safe while operating your EWP.
Here are some things that are important to know:
- How to spot hazards – There may be hidden dangers in the workplace that could cause serious injury or death if not avoided or controlled properly. Examples include potholes, loose cables, wires hanging from a ceiling, open pits, and more.
- How to avoid hazards – While operating an elevating work platform (EWP), certain steps must be taken to keep yourself safe from any potential hazards on the job site, such as clear working areas around the EWP, so nothing gets in its way when moving around on a job site; ensuring there is no one underneath where the boom arm travels overhead when lifting loads; making sure there aren’t any other workers within 10 feet of the base of an elevated work platform (EWP).
- How reporting accidents immediately helps prevent further injuries – An accident report should be filled out by anyone who witnesses one happening, whether they’re involved in it directly or not. This helps prevent further accidents from happening later down the road when another person with less experience tries handling something similar without fully understanding what happened before them firsthand.”
An EWP course teaches you first aid and CPR.
An EWP course teaches you first aid and CPR. First aid is a skill that everyone should know, especially those who work around heavy machinery. Your employer may require you to take a first aid course and receive certification for your on-the-job safety.
If someone has been injured, it’s important to act quickly so that the victim can get medical attention as soon as possible. First responders will not arrive until much after an accident or injury occurs, so it’s up to you and other workers in the area to respond until help arrives. Here are some steps for first aid:
- Check for breathing and heartbeat; if either one is absent or irregular (i.e., less than 60 beats per minute), start chest compressions immediately while another person calls 911 or summons emergency services by radio/phone or other means.* If there is no pulse—what we call dead—use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. If there is an open wound, put direct pressure on it with a clean cloth until professional help arrives. Keep track of the time between injuries so that medical personnel has an accurate idea of when each occurred; this will help them treat them properly.
Conclusion
The best way to prevent accidents is by knowing how to handle them. An EWP course will teach you what to do when something goes wrong and keep you safe from harm. If you work at heights, it’s crucial for your well-being that you learn how to operate an EWP safely and effectively.
