Aerial work platform
A machine designed to position people, tools or materials at an elevated work position. Aerial work platform is commonly shortened to AWP.
Explore related informationTechnical reference
MEWP glossary
Clear explanations of the terms used across powered access, aerial work platforms and machine specifications.
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AWP
Abbreviation for aerial work platform. AWP is a common term in North American access-equipment documentation; MEWP is the wider international technical term.
Explore related informationArticulating boom
A boom lift with one or more hinged sections that can reach up and over obstacles.
Explore related informationBasket capacity
The maximum permitted combined load in the platform or basket, including people, tools and materials. It is also called safe working load or SWL.
Explore related informationBi-energy
A machine with two power sources, commonly battery-electric operation with an engine or generator for charging or outdoor work.
Explore related informationBoom lift
A MEWP with a jointed or telescoping boom that moves the platform vertically and horizontally. Boom lifts include articulating and telescopic types.
Explore related informationBasket levelling
The system that keeps the platform floor level as the boom moves. Confirm the permitted levelling range and any restrictions in the machine manual.
Explore related informationChassis
The vehicle or carrier structure on which a truck-mounted, van-mounted or pick-up-mounted platform is installed.
Explore related informationCompetent person
A person with the training, knowledge and practical experience needed to identify hazards and make a safe decision for the equipment and task.
Explore related informationDual envelope
A machine specification showing separate restricted and unrestricted working envelopes or platform capacities. The applicable limit depends on reach, load and configuration.
Explore related informationDynamic load
A load caused by movement, acceleration, braking, wind or other changing forces. Dynamic loads can be greater than the static weight of the same object.
Explore related informationDeadman control
A control that must be continuously held, pressed or activated for a movement to continue. Releasing it should stop the relevant function according to the machine design.
Explore related informationEmergency lowering
A manual or powered system used to lower the platform when normal controls or the primary power source are unavailable.
Explore related informationElectric MEWP
A mobile elevating work platform powered by batteries or another electric supply rather than a conventional diesel engine.
Explore related informationEWP
Abbreviation for elevating work platform. It is used in some regional standards and is broadly equivalent to MEWP when describing powered access equipment.
Explore related informationEN 280
A European standard family covering safety requirements and verification for mobile elevating work platforms. Check the current applicable edition and local requirements.
Explore related informationExclusion zone
The controlled area around a machine or work activity used to keep people, vehicles and other hazards clear of the operating envelope.
Explore related informationFall arrest
A personal protection system designed to stop or limit a fall. Use only equipment and anchor points approved for the machine and task.
Explore related informationFloor loading
The load a floor or surface can safely support. Check both static and dynamic loads, especially for heavy machines, outriggers and indoor work.
Explore related informationGround bearing pressure
The pressure a machine, tyre or outrigger applies to the supporting ground. It must be checked against the actual ground and matting conditions.
Explore related informationGround pressure mats
Load-spreading mats placed under tyres or outriggers to reduce local ground pressure. Their size, strength and placement must suit the actual loads and ground.
Explore related informationGradeability
The maximum slope a machine is designed to travel on, normally expressed as a percentage. It is not a substitute for checking ground conditions.
Explore related informationHorizontal outreach
The maximum horizontal distance from the machine's centre of rotation or stabiliser line to the platform, measured according to the manufacturer's method.
Explore related informationIPAF categories
The International Powered Access Federation classification system used for operator training categories such as 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b.
Explore related informationInsulated boom
A boom or platform designed and tested for a specified electrical insulation rating. It does not make a machine safe around electricity without the required controls and procedures.
Explore related informationInterlock
A control or safety device that prevents a machine function from operating unless a required condition is met, such as a gate, outrigger or levelling position.
Explore related informationJib
A short articulating or telescoping boom section fitted at the end of a main boom to improve positioning around obstacles.
Explore related informationLoad chart
A table or diagram showing the permitted capacity and reach at different positions, configurations and stabiliser settings.
Explore related informationLevelling
The process of positioning a machine or chassis within its permitted level limits before elevating the platform.
Explore related informationMEWP
Mobile Elevating Work Platform: the technical term for mobile equipment designed to lift people to an elevated working position.
Explore related informationMEWP class
The machine classification used to describe how a platform travels and elevates, commonly including static, mobile and vertical or boom categories under applicable standards.
Explore related informationMobility type
How a platform moves or is transported, such as tracked, wheeled, trailer-mounted, van-mounted or truck-mounted.
Explore related informationNegative reach
The vertical or horizontal distance a platform can reach below its supporting surface or vehicle deck, where the manufacturer publishes that measurement.
Explore related informationNon-marking tyres
Tyres formulated to reduce visible marks on finished floors. They do not remove the need to check floor loading and site suitability.
Explore related informationOutriggers
Deployable stabilisers that increase the machine's support footprint and allow the platform to operate within its rated working envelope.
Explore related informationOscillating axle
A pivoting axle that helps the wheels follow uneven ground while maintaining traction. It does not remove the need to respect slope and ground limits.
Explore related informationOperator training
The formal instruction and practical assessment required for a person to operate a specific MEWP category safely and competently.
Explore related informationPlatform rotation
The permitted rotation of the platform or basket around its own axis, normally stated in degrees in the machine specifications.
Explore related informationPre-use inspection
A documented inspection completed before operation to identify defects, damage, missing safety equipment or conditions that could affect safe use.
Explore related informationPlatform height
The vertical height of the platform floor above the supporting surface. It is lower than working height because working height includes the operator's reach.
Explore related informationPush-around platform
A compact platform that is manually positioned rather than driven from the platform or base controls.
Explore related informationRated load
The maximum load permitted by the manufacturer for a stated machine configuration. Rated load may change across the working envelope.
Explore related informationRough-terrain MEWP
A platform built for uneven outdoor surfaces, usually with larger tyres, greater ground clearance and a higher gradeability rating.
Explore related informationRescue plan
A documented method for recovering an operator or platform occupant after a failure, loss of power, medical event or other emergency.
Explore related informationSafe working load (SWL)
The maximum total load the platform can safely support in the stated configuration and working envelope.
Explore related informationScissor lift
A platform that raises vertically using linked folding supports. Scissor lifts generally provide a larger deck but little horizontal outreach.
Explore related informationSlew angle
The angle through which a boom or platform rotates around its turntable or centre of rotation.
Explore related informationSpider lift
A compact tracked or wheeled platform with stabilising legs, designed to reach from restricted or sensitive-access positions.
Explore related informationStowed dimensions
The machine's transport dimensions when the boom, platform, stabilisers and other deployable components are retracted.
Explore related informationStabiliser footprint
The space occupied by deployed outriggers or stabilisers. The footprint can be much wider than the machine's transport width.
Explore related informationSuspended load
A load hanging from or outside the platform that can change stability, structural loads and the permitted working envelope. Do not assume it is allowed by the basket rating.
Explore related informationStatic load
A load that is stationary relative to the platform or supporting structure. It still includes people, tools, materials and any fixed accessories within the rated load.
Explore related informationSecondary guarding
A protective system intended to reduce the risk of crushing or trapping at the controls or around the boom. Follow the machine-specific operating instructions.
Explore related informationSite-specific risk assessment
A documented assessment of the actual work area, machine, task, people, weather, ground and rescue arrangements before work begins.
Explore related informationTail swing
The amount of machine or counterweight that extends beyond the centre of rotation while the platform slews.
Explore related informationTelescopic boom
A straight boom lift with extending sections that prioritises long vertical reach and horizontal outreach.
Explore related informationTrailer-mounted MEWP
A towable access platform transported behind a road vehicle and stabilised on site before operation.
Explore related informationTruck-mounted MEWP
An access platform permanently mounted on a road-going truck or commercial vehicle chassis.
Explore related informationTracked MEWP
A platform that travels on rubber or steel tracks instead of conventional wheels, often chosen for compact access or lower ground pressure.
Explore related informationTransport width
The machine's maximum width in its stowed or road-transport configuration. Compare it with the route clearance, not only the working footprint.
Explore related informationTilt alarm
A safety system that warns or limits operation when the machine detects that its base is outside the permitted inclination.
Explore related informationTravel mode
The stowed or elevated driving state of a mobile platform. Drive speed and permitted terrain can change between modes.
Explore related informationWorking envelope
The three-dimensional area a platform can safely reach at specified loads, slew angles, stabiliser positions and machine configurations.
Explore related informationWorking height
The maximum height an operator can typically reach from the platform. It is not the same as platform height.
Explore related informationWind speed limit
The maximum permitted wind speed for the machine and configuration. Check the current manufacturer manual and use a suitable wind-speed meter.
Explore related informationWind gauge
A device used to measure local wind speed at the platform or work area. Compare readings with the machine's stated wind limit before and during operation.
Explore related informationVertical mast
A compact platform that raises vertically on a mast, usually for low-level indoor or restricted-access work.
Explore related informationZero emissions
A description commonly used for battery-electric operation at the point of use. It does not describe the full lifecycle or electricity-generation emissions.
Explore related informationZero tailswing
A configuration in which the machine's rear structure stays within a defined footprint while the platform rotates, useful where space is restricted.
Explore related informationDefinitions are general technical guidance. Always use the applicable manufacturer instructions, risk assessment and operator training for a specific machine or site.
Last reviewed 23 August 2026 · Content is maintained alongside the MEWP.guide specification database.