MEWP Overturns: The Incident and Prevention
As part of No Falls Week, it’s important to look beyond falls from height alone and focus on the wider risks associated with working at height, including MEWP overturns.
According to IPAF’s 2025 Global Safety Report, MEWP overturns have decreased in 2023, however remained the second most common cause of incidents and fatalities in 2025.
The video below was created by IPAF to show a reconstruction of a MEWP overturn, as part of their Share Your Story initiative. It highlights how hidden ground hazards, poor planning and missed warning signs can quickly lead to serious consequences when operating powered access equipment.
The Incident
During the construction of a shopping centre in the UK, a MEWP overturned onto a busy road whilst elevated with an operator in the platform.
Investigations later found that one of the machine’s wheels had been positioned above a concealed inspection cover hidden beneath compacted subbase material. As the boom rotated, the additional pressure caused the cover to collapse, destabilising the machine and resulted in the overturn of the machine.
The operator suffered serious injuries, and the incident could easily have resulted in fatalities given how close the machine came to nearby pedestrians and vehicles.
Always Check Ground Conditions
The key takeaway from this reconstruction is that ground conditions are not always visible from the surface.
In this case, the inspection cover had been hidden beneath subbase material, meaning the hazard was not identified during planning or operation. This reinforces the importance of thoroughly checking ground conditions before any work begins.
Prevention
Proper planning, communication and operator awareness all play a vital role in reducing risk when working at height. Incidents involving hidden ground hazards are often preventable when the correct checks and procedures are followed from the start.
Before any work using MEWPs begins, thorough risk assessments should be carried out. Inspect and assess the ground conditions to identify and hidden hazards such as inspection covers, underground services, or concealed weak points beneath subbase material. The ground needs to be assessed to make sure it can support the machine’s weight and point load pressures.
Operators should also walk the planned route that the MEWP will take to identify anything that could affect machine stability. If there are concerns about the ground conditions, work should stop until further assessment has been carried out.
Clear communication between site owners, contractors, supervisors and operators is equally important. Any changes to site conditions, routes or ground surfaces should be communicated immediately to ensure safe operation.
Equipment operator training also plays a major role in preventing incidents and fatalities. Trained operators are more likely to recognise unsafe conditions, understand machine limitations and challenge unsafe working practices before incidents have the chance to occur.
Why Training Matters
Training remains one of the most effective ways to reduce overturn risks and improve overall safety when working at height.
Properly trained operators are more likely to recognise unsafe conditions, understand machine limitations and challenge unsafe working practices before incidents occur.
At Certora Training, we deliver accredited IPAF Training courses to help operators safely use MEWPs across a range of working environments.
We also offer a variety of Working at Height Training courses to support safer site operations and improve hazard awareness across the workforce.