The Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA) has released a new strategic plan for New Zealand’s Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) industry, following a comprehensive review of the association’s objectives and how well they’re being delivered to members and the wider sector.
“All objectives and strategies are worthless unless action strategies are put in place,” said EWPA Chief Executive Rodney Grant. “Quickly, we have as an association made good inroads on some of those.”
What the Strategic Plan Covers
The plan identifies seven priority areas for the association over the coming years:
- Industry engagement: Improving communication and collaboration between MEWP owners, operators, training providers, and the wider construction sector.
- Industry standards: Working to align NZ standards with international best practice and ensure they remain current as technology evolves.
- Career development, attraction, and retention: Growing the pipeline of trained MEWP operators and supporting career pathways within the sector.
- Maintenance and inspection compliance: Strengthening adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedules and pre-use inspection requirements.
- Improvement and innovation: Embracing new MEWP technology and operating practices as the market evolves.
- Safe use: Continuing to drive operator training quality and on-site safe operating practices.
- Industry representation: Advocating for the sector with regulators, government, and the broader construction industry.
Engagement with WorkSafe
A significant early action under the plan has been formal engagement between EWPA and WorkSafe New Zealand. The two organisations have been working through a joint proposal to review the existing Building Practice Guidelines for MEWPs — guidelines that have not been comprehensively updated in some years and which the industry believes no longer reflect current equipment capabilities and operating environments.
Why MEWP Safety Matters
Falls from height are consistently among the most serious causes of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in New Zealand. MEWPs — when properly selected, maintained, and operated — significantly reduce fall risk compared to ladders and scaffolding in many situations. But improper use, poor maintenance, and inadequate operator training can make them dangerous. The EWPA’s strategic focus on maintenance compliance and safe use training directly addresses the scenarios where things go wrong.
For businesses that hire or operate MEWPs, the updated guidelines and training resources the strategic plan is developing will represent a more current and practical reference point than the existing materials.