Working at Height Training vs MEWP Training: You Probably Need Both
Employers sometimes assume a general working-at-height course covers everything needed to operate a scissor or boom lift, or conversely that an IPAF/NPORS MEWP ticket covers general fall-prevention awareness. Neither assumption is quite right — this page sets out the real scope of each.
How to decide
- General working at height training covers the hierarchy of control, fall prevention/arrest principles, harness use, rescue planning and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 broadly.
- MEWP training is machine-specific: pre-use checks, controls, load charts, ground conditions, and the specific rescue plan for that platform type.
- An operator who only holds general WAH training is not certified to operate a MEWP — they need the specific category ticket.
- An operator who only holds a MEWP ticket may still benefit from broader WAH awareness training if their role also involves harness/fall-arrest work outside the platform.
Side by side
| Factor | Working at height (general) training | MEWP-specific operator training |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | General principles, hierarchy of control, harness/fall-arrest | Specific machine operation, controls, load charts |
| Certifies you to operate a MEWP? | No | Yes, for the specific category |
| Covers harness/fall-arrest use? | Yes | Only where relevant to the specific platform |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 1 day per category |
| Best paired with | Site-specific rescue planning | General WAH awareness for broader role scope |
When each option wins
Working at height (general) training wins when…
Anyone whose role involves working at height by methods other than a MEWP — harness and fall-arrest work, working near edges, ladder use — needs general WAH training regardless of whether they also operate a MEWP.
MEWP-specific operator training wins when…
Anyone who will actually drive and operate a scissor or boom lift needs the specific MEWP category ticket — general WAH awareness alone does not cover machine controls, load charts or platform-specific rescue planning.
Cost & time
Both are typically 1-day courses. Many operators genuinely need both — the WAH course for broader hierarchy-of-control and harness competence, and the MEWP ticket for the specific machine they'll operate — and we can often schedule them back-to-back for one site visit.
Compliance
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 underpin both, but PUWER 1998 specifically requires machine-specific competence for MEWP operation. Holding one without the other leaves a genuine, auditable gap depending on the operator's actual duties.
Our recommendation
Map what the operator actually does: if MEWP operation is part of their role, book the category ticket. If their role also includes harness or fall-arrest work beyond the platform, add general WAH training too — most sites benefit from both being current.
FAQ
Does a MEWP ticket cover harness use?
Only where harness/lanyard use is part of the platform-specific procedure — it's not the same as general fall-arrest training.
Can I book both courses together?
Yes, and it's often efficient to schedule both in the same site visit if your team needs both.
Is general WAH training a legal requirement?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require competence appropriate to the work — formal WAH training is the standard way employers evidence that.
Still not sure which is right for your site?
Tell us what you need and Chris will call back with straight advice.