Cherry Picker Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

A Cherry Picker Risk Assessment is a comprehensive safety evaluation document that you must complete before operating any mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) in your workplace. This critical assessment helps you identify potential hazards, evaluate risks, and implement appropriate control measures to protect workers and comply with England and Wales health and safety legislation. The document systematically examines all aspects of cherry picker operations, from equipment condition to operator competency and environmental factors.

When do you need this document?

You need a Cherry Picker Risk Assessment whenever your organization plans to use mobile elevated work platforms for any work activity. This includes routine maintenance tasks such as building inspections, window cleaning, or facade repairs, as well as construction projects involving work at height. The assessment is particularly crucial when operating in challenging environments like busy construction sites, near overhead power lines, or in areas with pedestrian traffic. You must also complete a new assessment when changing work locations, using different equipment, or when conditions significantly alter from the original assessment parameters.

Key legal considerations

Your Cherry Picker Risk Assessment must address several critical legal elements to ensure comprehensive protection. The document should include detailed hazard identification covering mechanical failures, operator error, environmental conditions, and interaction with other site activities. You need to evaluate each risk using likelihood and severity matrices, then document specific control measures including equipment inspection protocols, operator certification requirements, and emergency response procedures. The assessment must also address training and competency verification, ensuring operators hold valid IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) certification or equivalent qualifications. Additionally, you should include provisions for ongoing monitoring, regular review schedules, and incident reporting procedures to maintain continuous compliance.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under England and Wales legislation, your Cherry Picker Risk Assessment must comply with multiple statutory frameworks. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 establishes your fundamental duty to ensure worker safety through adequate risk assessment and control measures. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 specifically require you to plan work at height activities, use appropriate equipment, and follow the hierarchy of control measures prioritizing collective protection over individual measures. LOLER 1998 mandates that your lifting equipment undergoes thorough examination and inspection by competent persons at specified intervals, while PUWER 1998 requires you to ensure equipment suitability, maintenance, and operator training. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 further specify that you must document your risk assessment findings, implement control measures, and provide adequate information and training to affected workers. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in enforcement action, prosecution, and significant financial penalties.