63-question written theory test, pass standard 80% (51 of 63). 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 guardrail integrity
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
Guardrails intact and access gate closed 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: ground check, guardrails and access gate secure, exclusion zone established
Elevating and returning the platform under control
Travelling the machine in both stowed and, where permitted, elevated configuration
Working safely from the platform, using the guardrails and closed access gate as fall protection
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. Ground conditions and levelness, the platform load limit, and keeping the gate closed are the points that matter in use. There is no harness point on this type of platform.
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.