Innovative technologies and related accident scenarios: the importance of the Culture of Safety in activities involving Mobile elevating Work platforms

Over the years, impressive technological improvements and organizational innovations occurred in every productive activities; such innovations made possible increasing efficiencies, but often introduced new unexpected dynamics and consequences in terms of Occupational Accidents and Health Impairments. A typical scenario concerns the Mobile Elevating Working Platforms (MEWPs), widely used for Working at Height activities. The paper stresses the paramount importance of thorough Prevention through Design and Safety Management in Quality approach, in particular when advanced techniques and technologies are used, irrespective of the size of the work. A number of OS&H criticalities appear due to serious cultural deficiencies of all the parties involved. The Authors confirm that, in the considered case also, a widespread dissemination of the Culture of Safety plays an essential role to grant an effective Prevention.