Welcome to the essential training program designed to equip operators with the critical knowledge and practical skills required to safely use Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs). This course focuses specifically on the most common equipment in construction and maintenance: the Scissor Lift (Vertical Mobile) and the Cherry Picker/Boom Lift (Mobile Boom). In the rapidly growing Maltese construction and property sector, professional competence in working at height is not just recommended, but legally required for worker safety and site compliance.
Programme Rationale and Aims
Rationale: The construction and maintenance industries in Malta face an ongoing need for formalized competence in operating heavy machinery, particularly equipment used for working at height. This program directly addresses the need for industry compliance, risk mitigation, and professional accreditation to reduce workplace accidents, in line with the safety advocacy of the MDA and the vocational standards of the EVA.
Aims:
1. To ensure operators understand and adhere to all relevant local and EU legislation governing MEWP operation.
2. To provide the necessary theoretical knowledge to select the correct MEWP for a specific task and conduct thorough site-specific risk assessments.
3. To develop the practical skills required to safely inspect, function-test, maneuver, and stow a Scissor Lift and a Cherry Picker/Boom Lift.
4. To prepare operators to respond correctly and execute emergency procedures, including identifying rescue points and safe descent.
The Mobile Elevated Work Platform Operator Training course is a high-intensity, focused program providing participants with the official certification needed to operate MEWPs safely and competently. This is a crucial investment in operational efficiency and site safety.
This course blends theoretical instruction with mandatory practical assessment. You will learn the key principles of MEWP operation, including pre-use inspection protocols, legislative compliance (focusing on local safety acts and regulations), risk assessment specific to working at height (e.g., ground conditions, proximity hazards, and weather), and emergency descent and rescue procedures. The condensed format is designed to quickly bring experienced workers up to speed and certify them on both Type 3a (Scissor Lift) and Type 3b (Cherry Picker/Boom Lift) equipment. Successful completion demonstrates a clear commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards required by MDA members and the wider European industry.
This program has a duration of 4 Hours, is held in Malta, and costs 140 Euros; it is delivered in multiple languages through interpreter services, which are available upon request and subject to student numbers.
Quality Assurance
This training program is delivered by the European Vocational Academy (EVA), a licensed Further Education Institution. Quality is assured through:
• Use of industry-expert trainers with extensive operational and safety experience.
• Adherence to international best practices tailored to the local Maltese and European legislative framework.
• The collaborative oversight of the Malta Development Association (MDA) to ensure industry relevance.
• A rigorous assessment process requiring successful completion of both written theory and practical performance tests.
Knowledge:
• Understand the different MEWP classifications (3a and 3b) and their application limitations (e.g., load capacity, wind limits).
• Knowledge of legal duties and responsibilities under Maltese occupational health and safety laws.
Skills:
• Skillfully conduct a ground-level pre-operational inspection and complete a standard checklist.
• Execute a controlled emergency descent using the ground control pane
Competences:
• The competence to independently assess a work site, identify potential hazards (e.g., overhead power lines, unstable ground), and implement control measures before operation.
• The ability to responsibly wear, anchor, and inspect required fall protection equipment (where applicable to the machine type).
This course is ideal for all personnel whose work requires them to operate, supervise, or manage operations involving MEWPs, particularly in the construction, facilities management, electrical, and maintenance sectors. This includes:
• Construction workers and tradespeople.
• Facility managers and supervisors responsible for site safety.
• Logistics and warehouse personnel using vertical lifts.
• Self-employed contractors seeking a professional certification.
Entry Requirements
• Minimum Age: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• Literacy: A reasonable command of English is required to understand safety documentation, legislative requirements, and the tutor’s instructions.
• Physical Fitness: Applicants must be physically fit and medically capable of operating machinery and working at height.
• PPE: Participants must bring and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practical session (e.g., safety footwear, high-visibility vest, and safety helmet).
This training program is delivered by the European Vocational Academy (EVA), a licensed Further Education Institution. Quality is assured through:
• Use of industry-expert trainers with extensive operational and safety experience.
• Adherence to international best practices tailored to the local Maltese and European legislative framework.
• The collaborative oversight of the Malta Development Association (MDA) to ensure industry relevance.
• A rigorous assessment process requiring successful completion of both written theory and practical performance tests.
€140.00
Exit Award: Upon successful completion of the theoretical and practical assessments, participants will be awarded a MEWP Operator Competence Certificate (valid for a standard period, typically three to five years, requiring refresher training thereafter).
Work-based Learning: While this 4-hour course is primarily focused on certification, the practical session is entirely work-based learning, utilizing real equipment in a safe, controlled environment. This hands-on component, supervised by EVA’s industry experts, ensures the immediate transfer of learned skills to real-world operational competence, satisfying the practical training requirements mandated by industry leaders like the MDA.
MDA, C3, Avenue 77, Commerce Street,
Central Business District, Birkirkara Malta
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +356 2122 8184
Mob: +356 7949 2095