Aerial & Scissor Lift (MEWP)

In construction, MEWP stands for mobile elevating work platform. They’re used to move people, tools, and materials to hard-to-reach work areas. You may be more familiar with the term AWP (aerial work platform), which was the preferred language until recently. 

Vertical lifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts (also known as man lifts) are all examples of MEWPs.

MEWPs are classified according to the ANSI A92.20 Standard, which defines two groups and three types:

Group A: Platforms that move vertically but stay within the tipping line (e.g., scissor lifts). 

Group B: Platforms that can extend beyond the tipping line (e.g., boom lifts). 

Each group is further divided into types: 

Type 1: MEWPs that can only travel with the platform in the stowed position. 

Type 2: MEWPs that can travel while elevated but are controlled from the chassis. 

Type 3: MEWPs that can travel while elevated and are controlled from the work platform.

Having boom lift certification means that someone has completed a training program in the safe operation of a boom lift. Specifically, it covers hazards, OSHA regulations, and best safety practices related to these MEWPs. 

Boom lifts are MEWPs that can be elevated through vertical and horizontal movement, making them a higher tip-over risk. Boom lifts can be classified as Type 1B, 2B, or 3B.

Having scissor lift certification means that someone has completed scissor lift safety training that includes information on the hazards presented by scissor lifts, best practices for safe operation, and the OSHA regulations that apply.  

Scissor lifts are elevated only through vertical movement, allowing the work platform to always be within the tipping line. Most scissor lifts are classified as Type 3A.

Having aerial lift certification means someone has completed safety training in both major types of aerial lifts. In other words, they’ve learned about the hazards, OSHA standards, and best practices that apply to boom lifts as well as scissor lifts.

Anyone responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing, or supervising the use of mobile elevating work platforms will need MEWP training.  

OSHA requires anyone who is exposed to the hazards of a construction lift (or supervises someone who is) to be trained in relevant safety information and OSHA standards.

While OSHA does not issue MEWP certification, you will receive a certificate of completion after successfully completing a MEWP training course with an OSHA-authorized training provider like us. This certificate will verifying to your employer that you understand the type(s) of mobile elevated work platform(s) that you’ll be working with.

Yes! OSHA allows OSHA-authorized training to be delivered online as long as it’s through an authorized provider like us and students are able to communicate with an instructor when they have questions. All of our online MEWP courses meet these requirements.

The best type of MEWP training for you will depend on what type(s) of MEWPs you work with.  

A scissor lift is a type of MEWP that is elevated through vertical movement alone, so it’s more stable. Most scissor lifts are Type 3A MEWPs. If you use this type of lift, you need our scissor lift training course. 

A boom lift is a type of MEWP that can be elevated through both vertical and horizontal movement, which means it’s possible to extend the work platform beyond the tipping line. Some boom lifts are Type 1A, meaning they can only be moved from the chassis, while others are Type 3A, meaning they can be moved from the work platform. If you use either a Type 1B or 3B MEWP, you need our boom lift training course. 

If you use both boom lifts and scissor lifts, your best option may be our aerial lift training course. It covers Type 3A and 3B MEWPs, meaning you’ll get both scissor lift safety and platform-controlled boom lift training.

MEWPs are used in any type of job that requires moving people and materials to a hard-to-reach work area. That can include jobs in facility maintenance, window washing, tree care, utilities, telecommunications, warehousing, construction, and related disciplines. Even jobs as different as retail, event setup, and the entertainment industry will sometimes use mobile elevated work platforms.