63-question written theory test, pass standard 80% (51 of 63), plus a 10-question boom supplement in which all 10 are required correct. Answered in the candidate’s own handwriting, covering:
Roles, responsibilities and the law
MEWP types, categories and selection
Pre-use inspection and siting, including ground assessment
Setting up, outriggers, levelling and stability
Elevating, positioning and working at height
Fall protection and harness use in a boom
Ground rescue and emergency lowering
Post-operational checks, shutdown and securing
Machine transport on road freight vehicles
The following are safety-critical and must be answered correctly regardless of the overall score:
Ground conditions and stability assessment before elevating
Outriggers correctly deployed and the machine levelled before elevating
Work restraint harness worn and anchored to prevent ejection, not fall arrest, before elevating
Rescue plan in place before any person is elevated
Emergency lowering procedure
Exclusion of persons beneath the platform
Practical assessment
Structured exercises, each marked against observed performance criteria. Every criterion must reach competent; any dangerous act terminates the assessment.
Pre-use inspection, including ground assessment and identification of overhead hazards
Siting and set-up: outriggers deployed, levelling confirmed, exclusion zone established
Elevating, positioning and returning the platform under control
Travelling the machine in both stowed and, where permitted, elevated configuration
Working safely from the platform, wearing and correctly anchoring the work restraint harness
Demonstration of ground rescue and emergency lowering
Post-operational checks, shutdown and securing
Machine transport onto and off road freight vehicles
The assessor deemed Fred Bloggs competent within the stated scope, and the qualification was awarded in August 2026.
The legal position
No UK government body issues a licence to operate this platform, and no statute requires one. The duty to train and assess competence sits with the employer, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 section 2(2)(c) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 regulation 9.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any work carried out from the platform. Because the machine lifts people, LOLER 1998 requires thorough examination at intervals not exceeding 6 months. Outriggers, levelling and stability matter before the platform is raised. The occupant wears a harness with a work restraint lanyard, to prevent being ejected from the basket. This is work restraint, which keeps the occupant inside the platform, not fall arrest.
The full site evidence statement sets out the basis of the qualification, the assessment decision and the audit trail, for presentation to site management and health and safety personnel.
The full site evidence statement is issued with the operator’s pack.
Site-specific familiarisation and the employer’s written authorisation to operate are separate and remain the employer’s responsibility.